Subject: An uncomfortable moment
Preheader: Announcing new course starting soon

Hi %user.name_f%, 

Years ago I moved into a new condo. While in the elevator, I asked my fellow passenger - a Black man - if he lived in the building. 

He responded with what I interpreted as defensiveness, “Why do you ask?” 

I quickly introduced myself and told him I was new to the building and trying to meet my neighbors. He softened, and introduced himself. The rest of the conversation followed with ease. 

I walked away judging him a little. 

I chewed it over for an hour. Then it dawned on me how possible it was that he was wondering if I was questioning his ability to live in the building. Or whether I was put off by having a Black man in the building. 

His life experience will have been very different to mine. 

I had no racist intention in my question, yet looking at the situation from his perspective, I can see how easily my comment could have been interpreted that way. 

It was an uncomfortable moment that left me with some lingering embarrassment.

And it opened my eyes to how easily words can cause upset when I am not mindful of the social systems I am living in. 

Needless to say - to support care for all - I changed the way I introduced myself to anyone I met in the elevator to a more neutral, “Hi! I’m Mary. I just moved into the building. Do you live here?” with careful consideration of my tone.  

In Itzel Hayward and Kathy Simon’s upcoming course, Responding to Everyday Racism, you can expect to become more aware of the social system you live in, and the role you can play in transforming the oppression of people of color that is embedded deep within it. The course starts in March. 

Itzel and Kathy will help you:

• Understand perspectives that differ from your own 
• Find ways to compassionately address behaviors you perceive as racist 
• Increase your ability to articulate why it matters to transform social systems 
• Discover the role you can play in transforming racism in larger social systems

On Tuesday, February 13, 5 PM Pacific (California) Time, Itzel and Kathy will join us to host a LIVE free webinar, where they will share details about the course and do a live demo of how to respond to racism. 

➡️Sign up here to attend for free. ⬅️ 

No sweat if you cannot join live — we will send a replay link afterwards.

Warmly, CEO and Co-Founder, NVC Academy CNVC Certified Trainer  P.S. - Responding to Everyday Racism starts soon. Join us on February 13 for a LIVE free class with Itzel and Kathy - watch them give a live demo and learn more about the course.  P.P.S. - You can get 20% off the full priced registration fee until February 15. And an additional 20% if you are a member of the NVC Library. P.P.P.S. - Schedule doesn’t work for you? Everyone who registers will get downloadable recordings of every session.