What does it mean to be a white ally, especially in close-knit, rural communities? And what does it mean to have the support of white allies? What is needed from white people in our communities to move the conversation about racism—both statewide and nationally—forward in a productive and respectful way? How do we learn how to explore our identities and to acknowledge different lived experiences without alienating friends and neighbors, and move toward action in their own communities?

This is the focus of “White Allyship in Close-knit Communities,” a free conversation with Alexis James on Saturday, April 20th, 2019 at 4-6pm at People's Food Co-op. This program is hosted by People's Food Co-op and sponsored by Oregon Humanities.

Alexis James is a longtime educator and activist. Her current activism is focused on early childhood literacy and advancing social justice across the state of Oregon through her role as director of program operations and personnel at SMART (Start Making a Reader Today). Being a native Oregonian has created an enduring and unconditional love for the state and a desire to see Oregon manifest its social justice hopes and dreams. 

Through the Conversation Project, Oregon Humanities offers free programs that engage community members in thoughtful, challenging conversations about ideas critical to our daily lives and our state's future. For more information about this free community discussion, please contact: communityroom@peoples.coop.

Oregon Humanities connects Oregonians to ideas that change lives and transform communities. More information about Oregon Humanities’ programs and publications, which include the Conversation Project, Think & Drink, Humanity in Perspective, Bridging Oregon, Public Program Grants, and Oregon Humanities magazine, can be found at oregonhumanities.org. Oregon Humanities is an independent, nonprofit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities and a partner of the Oregon Cultural Trust.