The Inner Work of Social Justice: Untangling the Patterns of Injustice Woven into our Minds and Bodies
Workshop Leader: Prof. Joan Gavaler
In July 2025, Professor Gavaler (pronounced gah-VAH-ler) was a guest speaker at WUU for a Sunday service, speaking on this topic. In the Gathering Hall after the service, there were many folks very interested in continuing the discussion and asking for her to return, and offer a workshop series. This is the answer to that call.
Description of Workshop Series
When it comes to our work for social justice, we know external actions are important: To vote, to protest, to advocate. In this 4-session course, we will look to the process of deconstructing the internal patterns of thought and emotion that continue to hold the culture of white supremacy and patriarchy in place.
The workshop will meet in the Little Sanctuary on four Sundays from 2-3:30 pm in February and March; each session will meet for 90 minutes. During each class, participants would be encouraged to bring a journal for reflective writing and engage with the guided movement practices in the way that feels best for each person, even from one's chair.
Topics
Week 1, February 1, 2-3:30 pm - Trauma and the irreducible needs of children
Week 2, February 15, 2-3:30 pm - Healing processes and self-care
Week 3, March 1, 2-3:30 pm - Divorcing White Supremacy Culture
Week 4, March 8, 2-3:30 pm - Building new culture: Whiteness without supremacy
Selected readings and references
The Myth of Normal: Trauma, Illness, Healing in a Toxic Culture, Gabor Mate (selected chapters)
Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto, Tricia Hersey
(divorcing)White Supremacy Culture: https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/
My Grandmother's Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending our Hearts and Minds, Resmaa Menakem