Radical Dharma Book Discussion

Radical Dharma Book Discussion

Join Paul Michalec (Morgridge College of Education) and Lorena Gaibor (Graduate School of Social Work) for an exploration of Radical Dharma by Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Dr. Jasmine Syedullah. This book invites us to engage with racism and white supremacy through critical thinking, contemplative practice, and the authors’ own journeys as queer, Black, Buddhist practitioners and teachers.  Their personal accounts as well as transcripts from community conversations, help us consider how we might navigate the work of personal liberation from white supremacy culture and internalized oppression that does harm to all people. Deconstructing systems of suffering through Dharma/Truth and Black prophetic traditions, they use contemplative practice and story-telling to inspire us to do the work of personal and social transformation, understanding that our fates are intertwined. 
  
Radical Dharma invites us to better understand the role racism plays in our daily lives alongside the larger work of interrupting the spread white supremacy culture. For educators, this work invites us to connect the head with the heart, taking a more holistic, embodied approach to addressing white supremacy in our classrooms. 
  
Through the Office of Teaching and Learning, Paul and Lorena will host a four-week discussion of the book (themes and practical ideas).  All sessions are 12:00-1:00 pm in the OTL Conference Room (AAC 345). 
 
Wednesday, January 29 
Wednesday, February 5 
Wednesday, February 12 
Wednesday, February 19 
 
You are welcome to attend all of the sessions or just the dates that fit your schedule.  Please register for this book discussion so we can send you a complimentary book and an agenda of the readings and discussion prompts. We look forward to exploring this book with you!