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© 2009-2010 by POWER. All Rights Reserved. |
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POWER (People Organized Working to Eradicate Racism) is a radical learning initiative co-founded in 2002 by Ewuare Osayande, Director of Facilitation, and Jacqui Simmons, Community Advisor, to educate and empower persons and organizations in the struggle to eradicate racism. POWER's philosophy is based on the teachings of anti-racist theorist and activist Wanda Lofton (1950-2002). During POWER's intensive workshops, participants confront the reality of racism as a system of oppression. POWER workshops honor the experience of all peoples who have resisted and waged organized struggle to end racist oppression. POWER offers their methods of resistance as models for learning and shows how we, too, can resist racism today. Although POWER’s focus is addressing racism, we acknowledge the reality of sexism, classism and homophobia and incorporate such awareness into our work. POWER workshops are not to be confused with other so-called anti-racist workshop models. POWER moves beyond tolerance teachings and sensitivity trainings that simply advocate for an attitude adjustment among members of the dominant group. Our process is rooted in the tried and tested experience of actual organized struggle against racist oppression. At POWER, we educate to liberate. POWER has facilitated workshops for many schools and organizations including: Lehigh University, Bard College, Central Michigan University, Swarthmore College, Emory University, Student Environmental Action Coalition, The Friends Society, The Green Party, Shepherd University, Wesleyan University, Messiah College, Westminster Presbyterian Church, Rutgers University, Mennonite Church USA, Virginia Tech, Eastern University, National Christian Multicultural Student Leadership Conference, Consortium on High Achievement and Success ... For more information on Ewuare Osayande, Director of Facilitation visit:
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“Osayande’s passion, compassion and hope drew our students to him. Because he provided scholarly sources for the information shared in his workshops, the reality of race as a social construct for the benefit of its constructors and toward the detriment of others was indisputable. This left our students with the challenge of better appreciating their collective humanity. He has planted the seeds of POWER at Bard College. The roots of self-determination and accountability took hold. Our students continue to tend the garden in anticipation of social justice in full bloom!” Dr. Geneva A. Foster Director of Multicultural Affairs Bard College (2006) |