SDARJ announces Dialogue to Action Program 

The spring session of Dialogue to Action, a six-week program of conversations about racism geared toward meaningful action, is set to begin in early April in Lewes, Rehoboth Beach and Georgetown. Sponsored by the Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justice in conjunction with the YWCA-DE Racial and Social Justice Program, multi-racial study circles of eight to 12 people will meet with trained facilitators once a week to talk about race, racism, and possible solutions to end it. The program will culminate in an Action Forum, when all participants will gather to finalize plans for specific actions to address identified issues.

SDARJ is now taking registrations for discussion groups meeting in Lewes at the Unitarian Universalist Church Wednesdays, April 1 to May 6, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.; in Rehoboth Beach at the Community Resource Center Saturdays, April 4 to May 9, 10 a.m. to noon; and in Georgetown at First State Community Action Agency Tuesdays, April 7 to May 12, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. 

“Racism affects our community and every person’s quality of life,” said Don Peterson, chair of the SDARJ Outreach Committee. “It shows up in inequities between groups and in tensions among people from different ethnic backgrounds, and we need to face it head-on.”

Encouraging more African Americans to get involved, former participant Marlene Saunders describes Dialogue to Action as an opportunity “to form purposeful and enlightening relations with white people…relationships that are grounded on empathy, trust and respect.”

The program is free and open to anyone ready to dive into the real issues and root causes of racism and to channel their conversations into meaningful action for sustainable change.  

To register to participate in the conversation go to www.ywcade.org/dialogue-sussex or go to www.SDARJ.org for more information.