CU Denver is engaged in a university-wide reading of Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist, and we strongly encourage all members of CLAS to participate! These reading groups will be a meaningful way to make connections and build trust with your peers and colleagues in talking about race and racism. Through these discussions, we aim to foster a sense of belonging and to engage our community to share responsibility for creating and sustaining a just, safe, and inclusive campus.

Timeline

• October 2021 – Sign up and register by November 24, using the form on this page, to commit to read the book and engage in group discussions in Spring 2022.
• November 2021 – Obtain your copy of the book and get ready to start reading! You will be able to borrow one of many copies of the book from the Auraria Library or may be eligible for a free copy from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.**
• December 2021 – Review the above video of our kick-off panel discussion!
• January 2022 - Review and discuss chapters Intro-6, p. 3-80
• February 2022 – Review and discuss chapters 7-11, p. 81-150
• March 2022 – Review and discuss chapters 12-15, p. 151-200
• April 2022 – Review and discuss chapters 16-18, p. 201-238
• May 2022 - End of Reading Event 

**Those who complete the signup form by November 24, 2021 will be first in line to receive a copy of the book! We will prioritize ordering free copies of the book for students.

Forming Groups

When you sign up, you indicate your preferences for joining a discussion group. The groups will primarily be based on scheduling availability, but you also have the option to read on your own, or form your own group.

It is strongly encouraged that every group have a facilitator who has prior experience moderating conversations around sensitive topics or who has attended the Hollaback! training “How to Facilitate Conversations About Race”. Please keep this in mind if you plan to form your own group.

If you have experience in moderating conversations around race and would like to volunteer to be a facilitator, please complete this form. 

Look out for pop-up reading group cafes, where people reading on their own (or anyone!) could drop in for discussion.

Resources & Discussion Questions

Please refer to the Discussion Question Guide as a suggested resource. 

All facilitated discussion groups will maintain the following Community Norms:

• I will lean into difficult conversations
• I will believe everyone is doing their best – most of the time
• I will critique ideas, not people
• I will use “I” statements
• I will accept a lack of closure
• I will not make assumptions about other people’s identities
• I will take care of myself and take breaks if I need to
• I will agree that what is shared here stays here and what is learned here leaves here

Visit the Ethnic Studies website for related events.

Contact

Please contact Faye C. Caronan at Faye.Caronan@ucdenver.edu for questions about CLAS READS discussions.

Please contact Marjorie Levine-Clark at Marjorie.Levine-Clark@ucdenver.edu for questions about diversity, equity, and inclusion within CLAS.

Please contact Kristen Kang Salsbury at Kristen.Salsbury@ucdenver.edu for questions on forming groups.