Reflecting on whiteness AT WORK What do we mean by whiteness? Whiteness is used here to refer the operationalisation of the structure of white supremacy. That is to say, the system that is ‘constitutive of the epistemology of the West and as an invisible regime of power that secures hegemony through discourse and has material effects in everyday life’ (Moreton-Robinson, 2004, p 76). We could say in other words, whiteness delineates the mechanics which ensure white supremacy becomes embedded, normalised and inscribed within modes of feeling, thinking, being in and on the world so as to maintain the illusion of white superiority. what do we mean by ‘at work’?
Firstly, at work can be interpreted to mean the location of the workings of whiteness. This would entail capturing how whiteness impacts the workplace. That is to say how it affects work access, experiences and outcomes, whether through working environments, culture and/or institutional processes. A second and slightly different interpretation of at work may focus on the very processes of the phenomena and consequently functioning of whiteness. While this reading is close to the first one, here it is precisely the mechanisms by which whiteness itself operates which would be under scrutiny (and it is very succinctly captured as a concept within a phrase popularised by DeRay McKesson, “watch whiteness work”). For this project we are primarily concerned with the latter, fully understanding these are not mutually exclusive but complimentary readings. In summary, it can be taken that for the project, we mainly mean ‘at work’ as in illuminating the working of whiteness in workplace situations as well as experiences related to other contexts of development, creation, and production such as: higher education, creative industries, and parenting. (Kinouani and Asani, 2024).
Rationale
What is the group all about?
Few are the spaces that exist where we can think and feel together about whiteness, let alone about whiteness the workplace. The way it moves, the way it shapes us, the way we shape it and way it impacts our wellbeing. Yet most experience seen in the clinic concerns organisational dysfunctions and institutional dynamics which leave people excluded, othered and wounded. It is not posssible to address racial trauma without addressing organisation culture, culture often time hithed within mental health institutions .The space is created for us to think about how these modes of feeling, thinking, being which create racialised harmed through the lived experience, testimonies and live group hapenning and events wich permeate societies so as to equip all us, particularly thise ud charged with a helping role, with tools to support those traget, disrup toxic dynamic and practice self-care. This a monthly group which will meet exclusively online, and may be attended by all every one with an interest in understanding the working of racialised violence in the workplace and thir impact on the wellbeing and mental health of people of colour with a view of disrupting and resisting them. These spaces would exist to fulfil three main functions, firstly to encourage reflective practice as we think together as a community and resist as appropriate secondly, to create collective support and care opportunities. Finally, and as part of these groups, we wish to facilitate access to expert consultation and guidance which is not widely accessible to many of us.
MEMBERSHIP
Who is the group for? This is a closed group whose mmebership is composed of community members, who can join from September and certificate students who can join from January of teh following year. For teh latter membership is a requirement the CERTIFICATE IN WORKING WITH RACIAL TRAUMA USING THE FOUNDATION OF GROUP ANALYSIS. Chances are you want to join the group because you are interested in challenging race, racism or whiteness at work or may be strugglimg with thee dynamivs in your instition. If you are employed and feel that you may benefit from joining this group please feel free to join. However please note that the minimum requirement is a year for consisentency of membershio. FORMAT AND LOCATION When and where will the group take place? These groups will meet exclusively
ONLINE. The groups will likely start on September and this then take place every Tueday of the month from 20h30 to 22h00. DURATION For continuity purposes, only those able to commit for at least a year to this programme of personal and professional development will be considered for a place. FEES How much does it cost to take part? As a Social Enterprise, we aim to make our expertise accessible, to those who may benefit from it but may struggle to meet our fees, however, this is a professional offering to be delivered to professionals, the majority of whom we expect to be employed so although this is not set, we are anticipating charging £75 per month/per person hence per group (each group will last 1h30 minutes). We believe this is fair but welcome your comments.
REGISTERING
Whare do I sign up?
We are currently holding a waiting list for the next cycle, likely to start in September 2025. If interested, use the form below.
