Over 40 Food System Advocates attended an “Undoing Racism” training in May

On May 4th, 5th and 6th, participants dedicated to creating a just and healthy food system attended a training by the People’s Institute for Survival & Beyond, a national multiracial network of anti-racist organizers and educators dedicated to building a movement for justice by ending racism and other forms of institutional oppression.  The training was an intensive 2 ½ day workshop designed to educate, challenge, and empower people to “undo” the racist structures that hinder effective social change. Their analysis moves beyond a focus on the symptoms of racism to an understanding of what it is, where it comes from, how it functions, why it persists and how it can be undone.  Read more.

The event was hosted by:  Undoing Racism Organizing Collective, who has been hosting Undoing Racism Workshops in the Pioneer Valley for over a decade.

Partners:  Holyoke Food & Fitness Policy Council, Live Well Springfield, & PVGrows

Want to get involved or hear more about the work being done in the Pioneer Valley on race & the food system? Please consider becoming a PVGrows Member and click on the Racial Equity and the Food System Working Group box.

If you have questions about the Undoing Racism workshop, please contact:

• Sam Stegeman  sam@pvgrows.net, 413-413-665-7100 x15
• Liz Wills-O’Gilvie  elizabethwillsogilvie@gmail.com, 413-459-3395
• Anne Richmond  anne.richmond@gmail.com  413-348-8880
• Rosa Matta  urocofspringfield@gmail.com, 413-363-1773

Background:  The reality of racial inequity in this country is especially apparent in the food system.  People of color are most disproportionately negatively impacted by: food insecurity, “food deserts,” obesity, wage and hour violations, lack of benefits, and more.  PVGrows was one of four organizations who partnered on the Undoing Racism, two-and-a-half-day workshop. Over the past 30 years, more than 500,000 people (including 40+ PVGrows members) have participated in the Undoing Racism workshop. The goal of the workshop was to strengthen the anti-racist analysis and practice of sustainable food system and food justice work in the Pioneer Valley.  This was the first time Undoing Racism was offered specifically for people working on food system issues.

Testimonials:

Liz O’Gilvie, Urban Green Pantry, PVGrows Steering Committee member:

I can tell you personally that going through Undoing Racism helped me to identify my own internalized oppression & biases. I believe that I am now able to show up more authentically in my personal and professional relationships. Racism is tough. Even in the midst of progress, I sometimes wonder if it will ever be gone.  Going through the undoing racism training, and the deeper connections that I have made because of it, gave me hope.  Read the rest of Liz’s post on why PVGrows is hosting this event…

Andrew Morehouse, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, former PVGrows Steering Committee member:

Recently, I had the good fortune of participating in a two-day intensive “Undoing Racism” workshop hosted by a local group of the same name – the Undoing Racism Organizing Collective (UROC).  I’d like to share with you some of my reflection on the workshop, and why this topic is important to The Food Bank and should be to everyone in Western Massachusetts.  Read the rest of Andrew’s post about his reflection on the Undoing Racism training…