Black Women Answer the Call: A Dialogue for Black Women
Conversation Guide
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On May 25, 2020 George Floyd called his Mama. Not on the phone. He was calling out to her as his life was ended by a Minneapolis police officer who pressed his knee into Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds. “Mama!” There was audible anguish heard in George Floyd’s voice as this was captured on video. In the protests that have followed, one woman is shown holding a sign which reads, “All mothers were summoned when George Floyd called out for his Momma.” And we were. During this Living Room Conversation, Black women are invited to voice and process the impact of these events on our psyches, our parenting, our work, and our presence in the world.
Background Information:
Interested in having further conversations? Additional guides you may be interested in include our Race and Ethnicity Conversation Series, Unmasking: A Dialogue for Black Men, and our Juneteenth LRC Live! in which six Black community leaders gather to share what Juneteenth means to them, offer ways others can honor this day, and consider their vision for continued liberation. This guide was created in partnership with Media Done Responsibly as part of their 2020 Summer of Wellness Series.
Let's Get Started!
Living Room Conversations offers a simple, sociable and structured way to practice communicating across differences while building understanding and relationships. Typically, 4-6 people meet in person or by video call for about 90 minutes to listen to and be heard by others on one of our nearly 100 topics. Rather than debating or convincing others, we take turns talking to share, learn, and be curious. No preparation is required, though background links with balanced views are available on some topic pages online. Anyone can host using these italicized instructions. Hosts also participate.
Introductions:
Why We're Here (~10 min)
Each participant has 1 minute to introduce themselves.
Share your name, where you live, what drew you here, and if this is your first conversation.
Conversation Agreements:
How We'll Engage (~5 min)
These will set the tone of our conversation; participants may volunteer to take turns reading them aloud. (Click here for the full conversation agreements.)
- Be curious and listen to understand.
- Show respect and suspend judgment.
- Note any common ground as well as any differences.
- Be authentic and welcome that from others.
- Be purposeful and to the point.
- Own and guide the conversation.
Question Rounds:
What We’ll Talk About
Optional: a participant can keep track of time and gently let people know when their time has elapsed.
Round 1:
Getting to Know Each Other (~10 min)
Each participant can take 1-2 minutes to answer one of these questions:
- What are your hopes and concerns for your family, community and/or the country?
- What would your best friend say about who you are?
- What sense of purpose / mission / duty guides you in your life?
Round 2:
Black Women Answer the Call: A Dialogue for Black Women (~40 min)
One participant can volunteer to read the paragraph at the top of the web page.
Take ~2 minutes each to answer a question below without interruption or crosstalk. After everyone has answered, the group may take a few minutes for clarifying or follow up questions/responses. Continue exploring additional questions as time allows..
- What thoughts and emotions have the murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd brought up in you? What has this been like for you?
- How has your reaction or the reaction of those around you surprised you?
- To what extent have recent events impacted your everyday life and movement in the world? How has home life and work shifted?
- What are you doing for self-care? How are your sleep patterns, exercise, eating, relating, intimacy, connection, spiritual practices?
Round 3:
Reflecting on the Conversation (~15 min)
Take 2 minutes to answer one of the following questions:
- What was most meaningful / valuable to you in this Living Room Conversation?
- What learning, new understanding or common ground was found on the topic?
- How has this conversation changed your perception of anyone in this group, including yourself?
