What is Whiteness? Affinity Groups meet monthly on Sundays, 1-2:30pm and at additional times by decision of each small discussion group. All those who identify as white are invited to attend when registration is open (next cycle Fall 2021), or join the ZNCYC on-going open Affinity Group which meets every 3rd Sunday starting in August, 1-2:30pm. This group is for those who identify as white and is part of an ongoing monthly inquiry—based in Dharma practice—into Whiteness and it’s many biases and blindspots, using materials such as the study guide Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla Saad.
Please contact Dojaku or Yunen to get connected with the ongoing ZCNYC group, at watch the Programs Listing page and Ango listings for the Fall 2021 new affinity groups.
The purpose of the What is Whiteness group arises from the truth that White folks in the U.S. have inherited and inculcated 400 years of White Supremacist systems of beliefs, attitudes, policies, laws, and images. We recognize that the intention of these systems is to overtly oppress and marginalize People of Color and to provide unearned benefits and advantages for White people, as well suffering and diminished lives.
What is Whiteness is committed to studying these many, interlocking systems; seeing how they inhabit our bodies, minds, thoughts, attitudes and beliefs; and working to free ourselves of our implicit and explicit bias through the teachings and practice of buddhadharma. We are committed to manifesting our anti-racism work so we are, in tangible and demonstrable ways, moving towards a more equitable Sangha and society. In this commitment, we will hold ourselves – and each other – to be accountable to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC.)
We use The Circle Way format for our meetings. If you are interested in joining us, you might find it helpful to review the basic meeting guidelines first.
For the Fall 2020 Ango Training Period, we are offering a supportive, commitment group for those who are formally participating in the ango. Click here for details.