This Community Conversation will provide a forum for all people who live and /or work in West Hartford to share their experience of living or working in our richly diverse community and how to meet the needs of all our residents.








Faxon Branch Library
1073 New Britain Avenue
561-8201

Wednesday Evenings 6:30-8:30

Join us in discussing issues relating to ever-changing racial dynamics--as we encounter them both as a community and as individuals.  Co-sponsored by the Faxon Branch Library and WHIRED.  Registration is suggested.

February 24        FILM DISCUSSION:  Racism and the Possibility of a Post-Racial Society
Led by Marsha McCurdy, a Cornell-Certified Diversity Professional, our discussion
will be based on a short film featuring Andra Gillespie of Emory University. The film
may be viewed in advance at::bigthink.com/emoryuniversity/andra-gillespie-
discusses-racism-and-the-possibility-of-a-post-racial-society-in-america-today
 
March 31     BOOK DISCUSSION: I’m down:   A Memoir by Mishna Wolff
Aseries of humorous vignettes recalling Wolff's childhood growing up with a white
family in a minority situation--and eager to "act black" in their all-black Seattle
neighborhood. We'll also discuss the experience of being "The Other."

April 28   BOOK DISCUSSION: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Set in the rural South of the 1960's, this novel is a startling and resonant portrait
of the intertwined lives of women on opposite sites of the racial divide. We'll also
discuss generational differences in racial attitudes.

May 26   OPEN FORM: Considering BOTH sides of the issue and “teachable moments”
Come prepared to discuss a racially-charged experience where you deliberately
explored both sides (black/white/other) of the issue.
Suggested for initial discussion: rethinking the Henry Louise Gates incident
as if he were a white man--or if the situation happened to you.

June 30   FILM SCREENING: Good Hair: A Documentary by Chris Rock
Comedian Chris Rock raises the issue of pressures and cultural preferences of hair choices
among black people. We’ll also listen to your suggestions for next year’s series.


Looking back.....

In Fall 2008, WHIRED sponsored several bus trips for students of color to visit local universities and to learn about campus life.  For many of these students, it was their first in-person college visit.  Here are some happy faces of Conard Juniors after a trip to Conn College: