CATL is thrilled to sponsor a three-part series on Racial Battle Fatigue that will be led by Dr. Crystal Lepscier (Little Shell/Menominee/Stockbridge-Munsee), who currently serves UWGB as the First Nations Student Success Coordinator. The goal of the series is to center on the exploration of the idea of Racial Battle Fatigue and consider its impact on our holistic wellness in order to address the impacts of this phenomenon. This opportunity is open to faculty and staff who are engaged in race work and those from racially underrepresented groups who are interested in addressing the physical and psychological toll they have faced in this work. This is first and foremost a space to find balance and nourishment in our holistic wellness as educators and practitioners. While not intended to be a space equipped with a professional counselor, services and resources would be accessible and shared with any and all participants in this project.
All sessions will be from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. in person in the Center for First Nations Education – Conference Room (Wood Hall 473). If you are interested in attending one or more of these sessions, please register by clicking the button below. The descriptions, dates, and times for all three sessions in the series are further down.
What is Racial Battle Fatigue?
Tuesday, February 28, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
This session will focus on community building and creation of a space of wellness. Drawing from readings, we will learn about Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF) and Fasching-Varner’s (2015) definition, discuss impacts on health and wellness, and express our initial thoughts and reactions about the phenomenon. We will discuss connections to the idea of emotional labor in our work as well as discuss related subjects such as microaggressions and minority tax. It will be important to allow for an outward projection and comprehension of internalized fatigue, externalized fatigue, sole voice, and intergenerational responsibility and how one might carry this ‘emotional labor’ in their daily interactions.
Creative Methods to Address Racial Battle Fatigue
Tuesday, March 28, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The second session focuses on addressing the phenomenon of Racial Battle Fatigue (RBF). We will briefly review the definition of RBF as a refresher. Participants will discuss anything they carried forward from the previous session, reflecting on RBF and potential impacts on awareness. We will then explore creative methods to help express RBF. A journal exercise will be introduced, along with writing prompts from spiral writing method by Lynda Barry. Tapping into our own stories is an important part of confronting RBF.
Collective Reflective Space
Tuesday, April 25, 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
The third session will draw upon an Indigenous form for creation, connection, healing and expansion of our teachings. We will utilize a talking circle format to help consider our experiences, stories, and reflections on our journey to address Racial Battle Fatigue in ourselves. We will also use an arts-based project as another form of Indigenous expression for wellness and healing.