FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Racial Taboo Events Lead to Positive Conversations
About “Race” in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
Participants Report Open Communications on
Difficult Subjects Related to Race and Race Relations
WILMINGTON, North Carolina – February 1, 2017 – The Racial Taboo™ Initiative would like to congratulate the Champaign Community Coalition in Champaign, Illinois for facilitating race-related conversations that forged new connections between community organizations while inspiring new friendships between community members. Racial Taboo™ Event participants view the film Racial Taboo which is followed by small group discussions. More than 900 people have participated in six events in Champaign-Urbana, which were organized by the Champaign Community Coalition, Parkland Community College and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Additional Racial Taboo Events are scheduled in 2017.
“Some participants were reluctant to attend the first event, but they were surprised by the positive, and often inspiringly open and personal, conversations about subjects related to “race”. These events help to create the necessary safe space to educate, inform and discuss this challenging topic. Diverse community leaders were able to watch the film and immediately begin talking about complex race-related memories and emotions. These events have created a spirit of openness that has allowed people to communicate in an unprecedented ways,” said Tracy Parsons, Director of the Champaign Community Coalition. Champaign-Urbana has continued these conversations for over a year.
Racial Taboo Event participants watch the film Racial Taboo followed by small group conversations. The film combines accurate history, psychology and stand-up comedy to create an informative and enjoyable experience around this difficult subject. The events give people an opportunity to get to know each other and allow people to feel heard – a critical component of healing. “Champaign-Urbana is an excellent example of community organizations working together toward a common objective of inclusiveness and community-building,” explains Brian Grimm, Director, The Racial Taboo Initiative.
About Racial Taboo Events
The Racial Taboo Initiative began in 2008 with the development of a film designed as a tool to inspire shame-free and meaningful conversation about subjects related to “race.” Racial Taboo Events begin with the showing of the innovative 53-minute film Racial Taboo followed by small discussion groups to discuss impressions and reactions to the film. Here’s what people are saying about Racial Taboo: http://bit.ly/MVpkV3. Additional information is available at RacialTaboo.org and Facebook.com/RacialTabooMovie.
Media Contact
The Racial Taboo™ Initiative
Brian Grimm – 910.616.5200
briang@wavecoms.com
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