A Call to Unity!

This presentation provides a foundational understanding of systemic racism and explores strategies for enhancing intercultural competence and fostering meaningful relationships. Chuck Shelton

Wars, climate disasters, political and economic divisions, and the prevalent disregard of life pervades the world internally, externally, collectively, and structurally. Battles, bloodshed, mistrust, fear, and trauma impact our subconscious and conscious minds. This plays havoc with cultivating alignment between our interior wellbeing and our external relationships, even under circumstances under which we claim to love and care about deeply. Amidst the barrage of assumptions and judgements that pervade our thoughts and feelings we often do not recognize or acknowledge the related cycles of internal and external fissures. Addressing change, whether personally, institutionally, structurally, or systemically requires a metamorphosis. How can we learn from the relational patterns of the visible destruction? How do we cultivate virtues and practices that invite us to cultivate capacities that express our woven humanity of interdependence? We are wired for connection. Our nervous systems are social structures that find balance and stability in relationships with others. Our biology shapes the way we navigate living, loving, and working. And we now have a way to use this understanding in service of individual, family, community, and global well-being. - Deb Dana, Anchored, How to Befriend Your Nervous System

A summary of essential insights from both presentations, focusing on highlighting actionable takeaways that may apply to your personal and professional life.

The Race Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

A person who originates in any of the Black racial groups of Africa Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and who maintains tribal affiliation or community attachment Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

Latino or of Spanish Origin: A person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. This is not a race-it’s (Ethnicity). This Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands Dialogue Room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

This category is for respondents who do not identify with any of the other race categories. This dialogue room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa dialogue room concept is what makes The People’s Gathering unique. It creates a structured and supportive environment for participants to explore and discuss their racial experiences, perspectives, and challenges. We form conversation groups around specific racial categories to deepen understanding, foster empathy, and build strategies for collective action toward racial equity. We are guided by the mantra – “put your oxygen mask on first – before you can help others.” Each room will be led by an experienced facilitator(s) who also “check the box” for that particular room and will guide conversations, encourage participation, and ensure a respectful and productive environment.

The Timeframe for General Session 4.

The most dynamic part of the conference, this session features reports from each racial and ethnic dialogue room. It highlights significant discussion topics and offers insights into what the collective body should understand about them. Participants will explore what a call to unity means to the group, identify necessary actions, and discuss commitments for moving forward together.

Peace Queen will summarize the day's highlights and key lessons learned, offering acknowledgments and important announcements. The conference will conclude with inspiring closing remarks from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who will deliver the "Call to Unity" and leave participants with a powerful message to carry forward.

The conference will conclude with inspiring closing remarks from Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, who will deliver the "Call to Unity" and leave participants with a powerful message to carry forward.

The conference is officially over, but if you’re not quite ready to leave, join us for an informal parking lot session. This is a relaxed space to continue talking and processing what you’ve experienced. It’s an opportunity to breathe, reflect, and share your thoughts in an informal setting. Feel free to gather and converse openly about the day’s events and your personal takeaways.