VIRTUAL WOMEN'S BOOK CLUB

“You cannot dismantle what you cannot see. You cannot challenge what you do not understand.” Layla F. Saad

Welcome to our Women’s Book Club! We continually feel called to bring women together to discuss important topics in the realms of self-development, health and spirituality. Our mission with a collaborative Book Club with Ripple Wellness and Good Medicine Nutrition is to support personal growth and evolution through thoughtful, in-depth discussion.


As we were planning our first group, the world shifted.

On May 25th, police officer Derek Chauvin murdered George Floyd with an eight-minute knee hold seen the world over. A deep anger, frustration, sadness and desperation is felt in our hearts across the globe as we hear, see and feel these words daily, “Enough is enough.”

Each day we are asked to respond, yet the action we take is highly personal. The book, Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad is a powerful tool and one we would like to explore with our community. Laid out in a 28-day workbook format with journaling prompts at the end of each chapter, Saad is clear in her intention to assist us in unpacking our own white privilege and contribution to systemic racism. This is not an easy pill to swallow as she asks us to read, contemplate, write and process our own white fragility.

We are inspired to hold a space where women can come together to share their experience in doing this work. We will be following Saad’s request to hold groups about this book with a specific methodology and focus. We invite you to join us to share this important journey.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING BEFORE REGISTERING:

The Intention for Me and White Supremacy Book Club
Our intent is to create an online space where a group of women can come together to share their experience with doing the work as laid out in the book Me & White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad. As hosts of this group, it is not our intent to “teach” about racial injustice past or present. Rather we are here to compassionately hold space for each of us to give voice to our own experience of white privilege and the work each of us has done and needs to continue to do to dismantle internal and external racism and process ancestral traumas. We will be following The Circle Way, a method of discussing the book, recommended by Layla F. Saad.

What does it mean to “do the work?”
In this case, it is reading Layla Saad’s book and participating by doing the journaling prompts at the end of each chapter.

Do I have to finish the entire book?
If you are moved to join us, we ask that you have gotten through at least ¾ of the book.

Do I have to participate by speaking - can I just listen?
You are welcome to listen, but we request that everyone have their video turned on. Part of the Circle Way method is that we all see and hear each other. This is a vulnerable topic and we want to support everyone who chooses to share with our visible presence.

Can I join from anywhere?
Yes. Please find a place in your home that is private as people will be sharing the very personal, deep work they have done with Layla’s book.

Can I invite my friends and family?
Unless they have registered with us, no. We are taking a small number of participants and not opening this to drop-ins.

Why do we have to follow the Circle Way method for this group?

Layla Saad writes in her book that she got multiple requests for information on how to hold a group for this book. After researching different methods, she found The Circle Way by Christina Baldwin and Ann Linnea and got permission from the authors to use this method for discussions of her book. She requests that all discussion groups follow the Circle Way format.

What is the Circle Way?
“The Circle Way is a methodology that gathers people into a circular shape with participants at the rim and the purpose in the centre. Each person has a voice and everyone can see and hear one another. Social agreements and practices help facilitate respectful conversation. Circle supports a leader in every chair.” - The Circle Way website.
As we are doing this on Zoom, we will be making some adjustments while still upholding the intention of the group to be at the “center.”

Are BIPOC able to join the group?
The work laid out in Me & White Supremacy is the work of those with white privilege to do. If BIPOC want to attend the book club, it is not expected that they do the journaling work nor that they “teach” us about racial injustice. Layla Saad says that ideally, they would be there as observers with boundaries to ensure they are not harmed through racial aggression nor asked to walk us through the steps taken in her book.

Where do I get the book?
E-book versions are available on Amazon for $2.99, the hardcover is backordered.

Is there a fee to attend?
Donations for this event can be made to The Movement for Black Lives or any organization that supports black lives.

How do I register?
To register call or text Ripple with your email address
(360) 207-0134
We are taking a small group and wait list for cancellations so please register soon!

We will send you a Zoom link the day of the event!

THANK YOU FOR READING!

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