At the Table Dinner & Dialogue: A Community’s Journey Towards Racial Healing

On the evening of January 21, the Carbondale Civic Center was abuzz with conversation, as it hosted the city’s third annual At the Table Dinner & Dialogue series in observance of the National Day of Racial Healing. This event aimed to foster a safe space for attendees to share their personal experiences related to race and discrimination, facilitating deeper conversations aimed at understanding and healing.

Facilitators Leading the Charge

The event was facilitated by Dianah McGreehan, the city’s director of violence prevention programs, alongside Sharonda Cawthon, the equity and engagement coordinator for the City of Carbondale. McGreehan opened the discussion by emphasizing that racism is not just an individual issue but a learned behavior passed down through generations. “We all start with our socialization. Race is a social construct,” she explained. This perspective set the stage for a transformative dialogue centered on understanding and breaking down racial biases.

A Safe Forum for Dialogue

To cultivate a respectful environment for discussion, McGreehan structured the event into conversation circles, involving individuals of varying ages, races, and social statuses. “You don’t have to perfectly agree with someone, but you don’t attack them,” she reminded participants. This framework encouraged attendees to ask further questions and engage in healing through dialogue rather than confrontation.

Keynote Address: Embracing Discomfort

The evening’s keynote address was delivered by Christian H. Gillespie, a psychologist and CEO of Hope & Harmony Wellness Group, a culturally informed teletherapy practice in Carbondale. Gillespie urged attendees to confront discomfort head-on. “If you are ready to have an honest and a real conversation, I just want you to shake the fake off just for a second,” she said. Her call to action emphasized that discussing racial issues may evoke discomfort, but it is essential for progress.

Gillespie introduced a framework meant to inspire action: “See it. Name it. Move.” This approach encourages the recognition of injustices, giving them a name, and taking proactive measures to address them.

Personal Stories of Racial Experiences

Participants were then invited to share their individual experiences during table discussions. Teneiko Modicue, who relocated to Carbondale from Chicago, spoke candidly about her adjustments to a different racial environment. “I didn’t really encounter white people until I moved to southern Illinois,” she reflected. Modicue also mentioned the history of sundown towns, describing how she feels a heightened awareness in Carbondale, not out of fear, but caution.

Jessie Dooley recounted her upbringing, marked by her father’s racist views, particularly concerning interracial dating. “I realized that’s not what I believe in, but that’s how I was raised,” she acknowledged, highlighting her commitment to instilling different values in her children.

Another participant, Samantha Bandy, shared a memory of a DUI arrest, where she felt the sting of offense when questioned about her Native American heritage. “The implication was a stereotype linking Indigenous heritage to substance use,” she remarked, indicating the continued prevalence of racial biases.

Diverse Perspectives Across Borders

Margo Carnoy, a French intern, provided a fresh perspective on racial dynamics, comparing them to those in France. “In France, it’s really xenophobia turning into racism,” she noted, explaining how the focus there often revolves around immigration, contrasting it with the historical context of racism in the U.S.

Moving Towards Action

Gillespie’s framework set the tone for the evening, calling participants to move beyond dialogue to tangible action. Dana Barnett, for instance, shared her determination to continue a relationship with her mixed-race boyfriend in defiance of her father’s disapproval. “It was about character, not race,” she emphasized, resonating with the event’s core message.

The consensus among participants highlighted an essential truth: individuals should be judged by their character, not their race. “If you want to be an asshole, then be an asshole to everybody,” remarked Christy Marie, succinctly capturing the general discontent with societal prejudice.

Allyship in Action

Kara Hoffman Dunkel talked about her initiatives to foster allyship, such as setting up a sound booth at the African American Museum of Southern Illinois, allowing community members to share their stories. Her husband, Ron Dunkel, echoed the sentiment of unity among participants at their table, stating, “One thing everyone agreed on at our table is that racism is bad.”

Leadership and Community Engagement

The evening culminated in a poignant address from Mayor Carolin Harvey, who called for collaborative efforts in racial healing. “It’s just wonderful to see how our community wants to be involved with racial healing,” she said, challenging everyone to reflect on what they could do to improve the community.

Ongoing Dialogues

What began as a singular annual event has transformed into a continuous conversation, with the Carbondale At the Table series now scheduled to continue monthly through June at the Civic Center. Although attendance is open to the public, interested parties are encouraged to register due to limited seating.

Through the lens of personal narratives and community responsibility, the At the Table Dinner & Dialogue series serves as a vital platform for Carbondale residents to foster understanding, build alliances, and move toward a more equitable society. The words of Gillespie resonate strongly: “Allyship without action is not allyship at all.”