Welcome to the 7th week of The Challenge!

Our 18-Week Challenge gives us an opportunity to read articles, listen to podcasts, and view videos dealing with the roots of racial injustice, the systemic racist policies in our institutions, and our own misconceptions of racism. The Challenge creates a dedicated time and space for us to reflect on our own personal experiences, biases, and assumptions. Each week you will be sent a new prompt to explore.

If you have just decided to join the Challenge or if you want to revisit previous week’s materials, you can find them on our website: https://ncjwcns.org/actions/antiracism/

Week 7: October 2, 2020

According to Merriam-Webster, “looting” is to plunder or sack in time of war. It saddens and disturbs many of us that looting is part of the Black Lives Matter narrative and turns many people not only against the looters but against the protesters. However, the history of looting in this country goes back to The Boston Tea Party, a protest perpetrated by Whites, dressed up as Native Americans. Our selections this week examine this controversial topic.

The first article How American Power Dynamics Have Shaped Perceptions of Looting, From the Boston Tea Party to Today by Anna Purna Kambhampaty addresses the question of how we should talk about the incidents of looting accompanying some of the demonstrations.  The second selection, Why People Loot by Olga Khazan, gives us insights into who looters are, what they want, and why some protests are more likely to include them. 

Post your reaction to this week’s prompt. Discuss it with other Challenge participants. Join our closed Facebook Group. Here’s how: Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/602463427350589, click join and answer the three membership questions.