The Taft Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism Caucus

Our charge:

Our charge: The Taft Anti-Bias, Anti-Racism Caucus (TABARC)* is open to all Taft faculty and staff. We welcome everyone - those curious or apprehensive or some of both - to join us as we work to:

  • learn about the historical and ongoing oppression and marginalization of People of Color;

  • support, counsel, and push each other as we work to increase our anti-bias, anti-racist literacy;

  • actively support initiatives that seek to improve the safety and quality of life of People of Color in our community and beyond.

Why are we here?

  • "Increase knowledge of systemic racism topic and to increase self awareness about how I am perceived by students and ways to improve student experience at Taft."

  • "To listen and learn and learn how to be a better ally and partner in being an anti-racist."

  • "I want to understand and unlearn my unconscious biases and practices."

  • "To become a better ally and look at my own implicit biases to make sure I am making my classroom a safe place."

  • "Identifying and confronting and solving instances of racism and classism on our campus, solutions coming by dialogue and education."

  • "To find better ways to help move our community towards greater equity and justice, to find better ways to support those who are marginalized in our community, and to find better ways to help those who do not understand their role in a system of oppression to see and change it."

  • "Have a safe space to talk through the issue and how it pertains to my teaching and my dealings with students."

Norms & Expectations:

  • Stay engaged; be fully present

  • Experience discomfort

  • Speak from the “I” perspective (from your racial experience)

  • Expect/Accept non-closure; no quick fixes

  • Monitor your participation (move up, move back)--W.A.I.T (Why am I talking?)

  • Own intent and impact

  • Conflict can be a catalyst for growth

  • Learning leaves, the stories stay

  • This is a Taft group, but it is not ABOUT Taft; stay focused

  • Being open to understanding that the history you learned may be oppositional to someone else’s learned history, and that is okay. (Relearning history)

  • Expect that revisiting your understanding of American history may be unsettling/upsetting, but unsettling your norm is how you grow. (Relearning history)


Upcoming Meetings: