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Becoming Human is a project of the Racial Justice Initiative at the University of St. Thomas in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences and the Basilica of Mary. They have developed the course for wider use through an online platform, and Risen Savior is able to offer the series free of charge due to the generosity of the Becoming Human team.

The theory behind this series is that the racial history we inherit is dehumanizing for all us, though it is dehumanizing for white folks in different ways than for people of color. The only way to “become human” is to confront the legacy of white supremacy and to be open to undergoing a process of transformation, to engage more humanely in the world, especially across the color line.

There are 7 modules to this series, each of which includes a Welcome, Recorded Presentation, Activity, and Reflection. Please register by filling out the form at the bottom of this page. Registration closes on December 29th. Participants who sign up through Risen Savior are encouraged to complete the module on their own ahead of time and join a weekly discussion group to process the materials together. Discussion groups will be held Tuesdays January 5th-February 16th (7:30-8:30p.m.) and Wednesdays January 6th-February 17th (3-4p.m.). If you prefer to watch the presentation with the group, you can do so Tuesdays, January 5th-February 16th prior to the discussion group (5:30-7p.m.). View the full course description here.

Discussion Groups Schedule

(Participants will come to their group having already viewed the presentation and worked through the online materials.)

January 5 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ January 6 (3-4p.m.): Civil War to Civil Rights

January 12 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ January 13 (3-4p.m.): The War on Drugs

January 19 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ January 20 (3-4p.m.): Mass Incarceration

January 26 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ January 27 (3-4p.m.): Radical Healing: Psychological Responses to Racism

February 2 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ February 3 (3-4p.m.): Overcoming the White Savior Complex

February 9 (7:30-8:30p.m.)/ February 10 (3-4p.m.): Mobilizing for Change

February 16 (7:30-8:30p.m.) / February 17 (3-4p.m.) Understanding the Stages of Development