Round Table Talk: Open Conversations About Uncomfortable Topics

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2017

Round Table Talk: Open Conversations About Uncomfortable Topics (RTT) provided a safe and inclusive environment for teens to discuss topics such as race and privilege. RTT sessions focused on identity, equity, privilege, and the relationship between the police and people of color (POC). In RTT teens participated in activities such as a “write-around” and privilege walk. In the walk, teens lined up in the middle of the room, then statements such as “Both of my parents went to college” were read. For each statement teens took a step forward or backward based on how it applied to them. At the end, teens who identified as heterosexual white men were at the front of the room and teens who identified as black females were at the back, leading to conversations around equity and privilege. The final sessions, in collaboration with a Durham County Policy Officer, focused on the relationship between law enforcement and POC. In the weeks leading up to the sessions, the officer came to the library to hang out with and get to know the teens, many of whom identified as POC. In the RTT sessions the officer and teens talked about the relationship between police and POC. The teens were open about their distrust of police and the officer was responsive to their concerns. The conversation was raw and honest, and everyone left with a greater awareness of how to work together to build community. Prior to their sessions with the Officer, the teens were given surveys to gauge their trust and knowledge of Durham Police Department (DPD) and its services. The same surveys were given to the teens after their RTT conversations with the DPD Officer. The final surveys showed a growth in their trust of the DPD and their knowledge of its services.