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“Loving yourself is a political act. We are taught not to love ourselves, and from that place we are easily manipulated...Love yourself so much that this love changes the world.” --Rita Shimmin, UNtraining co-founder |
UNtraining White Liberal Racism We explore what it means to be white, bringing awareness to white conditioning and privilege that we did not choose as children, but that we can take responsibility for as adults. NEW Phase 1 Groups Coming in Fall 2025 | People of Color UNtraining
We explore how to communicate authentically and compassionately with each other about issues of race, and how to heal the effects of trauma resulting from being the targets of racism. To be informed when new groups are offered, sign up at | Beyond Black and White: Being Chinese in America
We explore the interface of internalized racism and our own cultural conditioning with others of Chinese descent to bring healing for ourselves and others. Special events for Chinese group alumni & guests To be informed when new groups are offered, sign up at |
Community-Led UNtraining Oral History Project Launches!
Harnessing the power of story to celebrate the UNtraining’s community-based, radical self-exploration as a critical approach to achieving social justice. Check out the brief documentary on the UNtraining and its impact—this is a taste of the kinds of personal narratives this project will highlight. Mari Amend and Cliff Mayotte (left) are the producers. Watch video here
What Participants Say
The UNtraining changed my life. It helped me move past shame and start to look at how I could drive change - for myself, for those around me, and for my community. It gave me an incredible amount of hope and made it possible for me to be a true support and co-conspirator with BIPOC colleagues and friends.” |
Doing this work in community is one small and incredibly important aspect of disrupting the ways in which white supremacy separates all of us, especially us white folx from each other, preventing us from collectively recognizing, understanding, and healing our white conditioning.
| I learned to be more real and to experience and manage many different feelings and reactions simultaneously. I am much more able to stand in your shoes, whoever you are, because I learned to stand in my own. |
The support and compassion that existed in the group, as modeled by the facilitators was amazing and freeing. I got an opportunity to begin a deeper journey into my relationship to white privilege and racism.
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UNtraining in the Media: Articles, Blogs, Interviews
Good Little White Girl Latest post: "All the books in the library...Are not there" By UNtraining director Janet Carter Social Justice - What's in it for White Men? | "UNtraining Cultural Conditioning" - New Economy Now Podcast with Guests Ro Horton and Swan Keyes, Interviewed by Erin Axelrod, Dec 2022 In this episode, they discuss the far-reaching effects of cultural conditioning, white people's resistance to recognizing their racism, and the process of “UNtraining” racist programming. Ro and Swan share their personal transformation journeys, and what led them to this line of work -- and more. A research paper by Lisa Sandoval, UNtraining participant, and candidate for Master in Public Administration, Spring 2019 | Going to the Root: How White Caucuses Contribute to Racial Justice
Why People of Color Need Spaces Without White PeopleArticle by UNtraining participant Kelsey Blackwell, in The Arrow, A Journal of Wakeful Society, Culture & Politics, August 2018 | UNtraining on "Talk It Out Radio" KPFA 94.1 FM ARCHIVED: LISTEN HERE Making the Invisible Visible: Healing Racism in Our Buddhist Communities Personal statement by UNtraining founder Robert (Ro) Horton. Their section starts on Page 9. August 2000 |
Article by UNtraining assistant Alex Vlasic in The Arrow, A Journal of Wakeful Society, Culture & Politics, July 2019