What our program participants are saying

Transformative is the single word that comes to mind. This program challenges us to deal with (and not just examine) the reality of racial injustice on individuals, families, and communities as well as entire segments of our country. We are blessed by having multi-generational African Americans in our group that put flesh to the words of our texts that detail the impact of historical prejudices. In other words, this is not an academic exercise, this is the reality of life lived under and through the historical abuse of laws, processes, power, and privilege. You must deal with this reality.

I recently participated in The Land Is Not Our Own, and it has been a real revelation to me. The first step is awareness and knowledge, followed by action, and this program can be an important catalyst in one’s journey. I also received an unexpected gift of increased reverence for the wonders of creation that are all around us, an appreciation that, in the long-term, may hold the key to our very survival as a species.

One of the most important things I learned in this series is how much I didn’t know! I am far from alone: Our educational systems in the U.S. have white-washed our base of knowledge about our racial history. The readings, assignments and discussions in this series were constructive, even when difficult. We felt safe sharing our opinions, personal history and beliefs, and left empowered to take a stand against injustice. I cannot recommend this series more highly.