Culture Spotlight

New Gloucester residents continue to ‘show up for people of color’

In addition to monthly rallies and meeting, New Gloucester United Against Racism is offering a series of educational sessions on race, privilege and oppression.

| Kristen McNerney, The Forecaster |

More than year after nationwide momentum over George Floyd’s murder fueled its formation, New Gloucester United Against Racism has more than 100 members and is working to extend its reach in the community.

Although conversations among members have kept them motivated, the group doesn’t want to be just “preaching to the choir all the time,” organizer Cam Dufty said.

“We want to make sure we’re getting out into the community more,” Dufty said.

The group is hosting educational sessions for the community, run by the Portland nonprofit Cross Cultural Community Services. The first of three-part series, via Zoom last week, focused on structural racism and the process of becoming culturally aware. About 15 individuals were in attendance, Dufty said. Future sessions will discuss the history of race and oppression, Maine’s changing demographics and a culture of white supremacy and privilege.

People who live in mostly white communities can be reluctant to address racism as a problem, according to Regina Phillips, a co-founder of Cross Cultural Community Services, in an interview. However, the need to have discussions remains.

“People come into contact with an unfair system even if they aren’t around Black people,” Phillips said. “We believe a just society is a society where all people thrive.”

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