This class consists of five independent sessions. In each session we will center a cultural expression of humanism by black, indigenous and people of color or the work of a single BIPOC humanist. Folks can join one, a few, or all the sessions as they choose or are able.

Examples of people we may center include humanists Bridgette Crutchfield, Sincere Kirabo, Ijeoma Oluo, Dr. Anthony Pinn, Mandisa Thomas, Candance Gorham, and Ashton Woods.

We may also analyze the works and lives of BIPOC artists and intellectuals who don’t necessarily identify as humanist but express very humanist ideas. Some examples include Richard Wright, Nella Larsen, Alice Walker, Dr. Grace Lee Boggs, Angela Davis, Langston Hughes, Zora Neal Hurston, Lorraine Hansberry, and Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Finally, I would like to examine alternative expressions of BIPOC focused humanism, possibly the blues or American Indian Movements that embrace a spirituality that promotes humanistic connections between peoples and people and their environment.

Here is a sample of what we may read from Sikivu Hutchinson’s book Humanists in the Hood: Unapologetically Black, Feminist, and Heretical.

“We cannot call ourselves humanist without considering social and economic justice from a perspective of people of color, a womanist perspective.

How are we not exploring the implications of a humanistic worldview in a nation where Black women’s bodies have never been considered human? Can we admit the ‘everyday humanist’ struggle that Black women and girls face in simply being self-determined in a world where white ‘humanity’ depends on their erasure?

Humanism can’t simply dispense with gods, substitute reason and Western individualism for religion. Period. That is a Euro-centric, male focused humanism. We cannot overlook or ignore a black feminist humanism which seeks to center the lives of Black women and women of color in critiques of humanist ethics, morality, and justice.”

In lieu of a class fee, please consider making a donation to cover the honorarium given to potential guest speakers. Use this link and use the field: "humanist class guest speakers.

Facilitators: Joshua Berg

Details: Five class sessions, First class postponed to 10/17, remaining classes are 11/14, 12/12, 1/16 (class was rescheduled), 2/13. 2:00pm - 4:00pm. Each class is independent, but please let us know if you cannot make a particular session so we can try to fill your spot. If you are not able to register now, please try again another month, as spots may open up.

Location: Digital over zoom

Max # of Participants: 50

Additional Information: If you identify as a BIPOC (Black Indigenous Person of Color), please indicate so in the comment section of the registration.

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