What recommendations do you have for other facilitators who are using "How To Talk About Race"? Consider sharing additional resources you found helpful, activities that worked particularly well, and some reflections on who this course is best suited for. For more information, see this course on P2PU’s course page.
I’n new to this so I have some questions. Is there a group I can join already? I’d like to be a participant in a group like this How would I find out the procedure to join specific groups?
Hi Diane, welcome!
Since this course just launched, there aren’t any existing groups running yet. The best way to participate in one soon would be to run it yourself for your peers or local community—check out our Facilitate page for tips on how to get started. The course is set up to make facilitation easy and includes instructions/prompts for each activity, so you should be able to navigate through the materials without much extra prep work.
If you’d prefer to just participate rather than run the group, keep an eye on this page to see when learning circles using this course are available for sign-up.
Glad to have you here! Feel free to reply in this thread or email thepeople@p2pu.org if you have any other questions about getting started with learning circles. 
This course received a rating from a facilitator!
When you signed up, we asked what you hoped to achieve by facilitating a learning circle, and you wrote "Facilitation skills ". To what extent did you achieve this?
4Did anything about the learning circle surprise you?
How smoothly it went – the participants were engaged and respectful of each other.Do you have any stories from the learning circle you want to share with the P2PU community?
Nothing specific, but I’m happy we were able to create an environment where participants felt safe and supported.You recorded in your weekly feedback that 9 participant(s) attended the first meeting. Is this correct?
YesYou recorded in your weekly feedback that 8 participant(s) attended the second meeting. Is this correct?
YesAbout how many people showed up for the last meeting?
7How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star(s)?
I always leave room for improvement, but the feedback from the participants was good. Everyone felt they learned something and thought deeply about the subject.How likely are you to recommend facilitating a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
4Why?
Having the materials ready-to-go was a huge help. It took the pressure off of finding content & allowed the facilitators to learn alongside group members.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned how pervasive systemic racism is.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I hope to use my newfound information in daily life. When presented with erroneous information, I will quote the correct information.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
The facilitators were very adept in helping the group feel welcome and safe. The participants were also respectful and compassionate.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
I think it is a good way for peers to exchange ideas.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
Hearing about other people’s experience with racism.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
3How do you intend to apply what you learned?
Be more conscious of others’ experiences.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
3Why did you give the course 3 star/stars?
Because it was awkward going back and forth with reading and watching then talking.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
3Why?
Because I felt it was awkward.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
There are some things that I never thought were offensive, but actually are.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I’m not really sure. I would say that I’ll try to be more thoughtful with what I say, but often I don’t know I’m being offensive until after I’ve said something and been called out on it. I will know not to say that going forward, however.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
It was easy to follow and enjoyable.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
It was a good experience.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
Some great tools for facilitating conversation!Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
Better able to assess when it’s worth it to keep the conversation going, versus “agree to disagree”How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
The activities, structure, and time allotted all seemed very appropriate. The facilitators did a really good and sensitive job of keeping us going.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
It has been a very positive experience.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned new tools for how to respectfully engage in difficult conversations about race with others.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I intend to take what I learned here into my personal and professional life to contribute to making a more equitable world.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star/stars?
I think there’s some room for improvement in the format of the course and topics discussed, but overall I thought it was a valuable experience.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
4Why?
I think peer-to-peer learning is a great, non-intimidating way to tackle a challenging topic for a coworker who might not have a lot of time to devote to PD in general.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
A greater understanding of the issues around race, antiracism, and social justice. An appreciation of the resources (articles and videos) that were shared with the group. A feeling of comfort, safety, and inclusion amongst the group while talking about sensitive topics.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
This will take quite a lot of thought and follow-up discussions with colleagues. I am not prepared to say just yet how I will apply what I learned other than to be more mindful of listening carefully and actively and being more aware of biases (both my own and others’)How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
It was the right size group; the breakout sessions mixed in with whole group discussion worked well; the progression of topics made sense; the presentation of resources was thoughtful; discussions were courteous.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
4Why?
I think it’s a useful way to approach the need to learn more about a subject but don’t feel I have enough experience with learning circles yet to give a wholehearted endorsement to the platform
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
Learned more about micro aggressionsDo you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
Share resources with the community and other racial equity groupsHow well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star/stars?
Facilitators were excellent. Took some time to get used to accessing resources on ZoomHow likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
Information presented in an engaging simple manner
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
listening is the most important thing when dealing people. you may think they mean one thing, but they may not. so it is important to ask what a person means by their statement. listen.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
3How do you intend to apply what you learned?
i will try to listen more. But also not to ignore comments that I don’t agree withHow well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star/stars?
i think we all became more aware and more able to speak about race.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
4Why?
this was an opportunity that more people should be involved in.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned strategies for having difficult conversations. I learned new terminology and tools for having conversations about race.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
5How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I will use what I learned in daily conversation, as a reminder to speak up when I should, and when running programs where the topic leads to conversations about race.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
I was very happy with the materials, the preparation of the facilitators, and the conversation among the group members. I felt supported and challenged to learn something new on a complicated and challenging topic.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
It seemed like the learning circle prepared the facilitators well for the discussion and topics
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned more about white privilege.Do you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
4How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I intend to be more vocal in conversations about racism and anti racism.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star/stars?
Because it was successfulHow likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
4Why?
Because learning circles are a great way for a group of people to explore and learn about a topic together.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned much more than I expected, yesDo you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
5How do you intend to apply what you learned?
ALready applying in everyday situations, constantly mindful that my perception of the world and going through it is not others’How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
My expectations and hopes were exceededHow likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
Because it seems really important
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
I learned terminologies and descriptors pertaining to behaviors surrounding race. I also learned of tools/responses to better facilitate conversation when dealing with conflictsDo you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
5How do you intend to apply what you learned?
I intend to step back and be a better listener. I also learned to recognize that discomfort is okay and does not need to be avoided.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star/stars?
I felt the facilitators provided down to earth, safe environment to speak freelyHow likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
The more education and honest conversations we have about race the better our resolve to combat the conflicts that arise
This course received a rating from a facilitator!
Did anything about the learning circle surprise you?
I was disappointed that not everyone showed up each week. Some had other things pop up, which is understandable, but it was still disappointing that our group was never full.Do you have any stories from the learning circle you want to share with the P2PU community?
Nothing comes to mindAbout how many people showed up for the first meeting?
7About how many people showed up for the second meeting?
6About how many people showed up for the last meeting?
5How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star(s)?
Some of the topics/themes seemed repetitive.How likely are you to recommend facilitating a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
It’s a great skill to learn, how to facilitate, how to manage group conversations.course
How To Talk About Racegoal
I would like to grow in my own capacity to talk about race to have more informed, nuanced and compassionate conversations with my colleagues and students.
This course received a rating from a facilitator!
Did anything about the learning circle surprise you?
That the group preferred more conversation over the use of interactive technology.Do you have any stories from the learning circle you want to share with the P2PU community?
Two stories: as co-facilitators we were moved that the group wanted to extend the circle if we could, that, at the least, we meet for 2 hours for our last session, and that we meet again weeks from now to check in with one another.
We asked the participants if they would like to invite someone to our last session. At least two participants were planning race-related conversations with their staff. Here is a comment by one of the observers which touched all of us deeply. “Thank you for letting me listen in! So much wisdom and compassion in this room. I’ve got lots of notes and food for thought.”About how many people showed up for the first meeting?
8About how many people showed up for the second meeting?
7About how many people showed up for the last meeting?
10How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
5Why did you give the course 5 star(s)?
People reflected on their own growth in doing this work. Participants felt more confident and brave at the thought of hosting a difficult discussion.How likely are you to recommend facilitating a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
5Why?
It’s a great experience and a great way to learn, to find a community, to share, to reflect and to expand one’s own thinking.course
How To Talk About Racegoal
We hope that participants will gain the confidence to host or join group conversations that they might have once thought too challenging. We also hope that the learning circle gives each participant a stronger sense of community.
This course received a rating from a participant!
Is there anything else that you learned or achieved during the learning circle?
Nothing outside the scope of the curriculumDo you feel more confident about what you just learned in How To Talk About Race ?
3How do you intend to apply what you learned?
By continuing to participate in programs of this nature and applying these principles to librarianship.How well did the online course work as a learning circle?
4Why did you give the course 4 star/stars?
It works best as it can.How likely are you to recommend participating in a learning circle to a friend or colleague?
3Why?
I would be likely to recommend a learning circle as a mode of learning but there were aspects of this particular circle that didn’t work so well.