Session 5:
Materials

This session we explore institutional and structural/systemic racism, through the lens of the Dharma. Some Dharmic frameworks that might be helpful to keep in mind as you peruse these materials:

• karma vipaka

• the Wheel of Life and the 3 poisons

• conditioned co-production

1) The “white frame” and institutional racism

RadioLab podcast episode - Debatable (2017) – 58 minutes

As you listen, you might ask: how is this relevant to your sangha and/or to the Buddhist organizations, communities and cultures you are part of?

2) Dimensions of racism and systemic racism

Unequal Opportunity Race (4 min)

Is Racism Over Yet? 2015 (6 min)

Visual Aides for Reflection

Explained | Racial Wealth Gap 2020 (16 min)

Longer options only if you have time:

How the US stole thousands of Native American children (13 min)

This is an example of institutionalized racism and racist policies. It also demonstrates how the patterns of colonialism are enduring and creatively reproduced.

Race in America 2020 - Phil Vischer (18 min)*
Optional follow-up Part 2 to this video.

*Note: this video is US focused and is from a Christian channel with a Christian message. It is also one of the few didactic videos we have found that is both short and that covers how complex systemic racism works, integrating the wealth gap, housing, mass incarceration, education, etc. Warning: the lens is hetero-patriarchal at times. The 2nd video was in response to reactions to the first video, many of which echo ideas that were recently presented in the UK government report on race.

3) To be or not to be racist… is that really the question?

Consider some suggested definitions of:

• prejudice

• racism

• racist

• anti-racist

• racist ideas

• racist policies