“White people can expect to be a part of the most radically honest conversation on racism they have ever experienced,” says Saira Rao, co-author of “White Women: Everything You Already Know About Your Own Racism and How to Do Better” and one of the organizers for the documentary screening and talkback for “Deconstructing Karen” at the Byrd Theater on Thursday, May 25.
For those who don’t know, the common name “Karen” has been used online and in the media as pejorative slang for an obnoxious, angry, entitled, and racist white woman. “We’ve done events all over the country and Canada and white women are waking up to not only how they have caused harm through white supremacy but also how, they too, have been harmed by white supremacy,” says Rao, who grew up in Richmond and graduated from the University of Virginia.
“Deconstructing Karen” is an Apple iTunes documentary about Race2Dinner, a nonprofit that involves an experience of two hours for eight white women and organizers Regina Jackson and Rao to participate in very direct, exceedingly difficult conversations about racism. The documentary shows one set of women attending a Race2Dinner dinner party. During the gathering, the women are encouraged to confront their own racism through tough, emotional dialogue. The women are asked to confront their complicity in white supremacy and to consciously stop ignoring their participation in racist behaviors.
Following the Byrd screening, there will be a conversation with both Rao and Jackson moderated by Ashley Williams, the founder of the Well Collective in downtown Richmond, a conscious community space offering intergenerational wellness, equitable healing modalities and educational workshops. Proceeds after the cost of the event will benefit the Well Collective.
The documentary has already been shown all over the nation and discussed in the media, where it broke down along predictable political poles. The organizers’ choice to have a viewing in Richmond is a conscious one. “Richmond is historically the capital of the confederacy and an epicenter of historical, generational and racial trauma in America,” says Williams. “It is important to acknowledge the effects of our history on everyday life for both white and Black, as well as other minority populations.”
The Byrd Theater is able to accommodate 650 individuals and a group of local women committed to anti-racism, including business owners Ellie Burke, a holistic life coach, Suzanne Burns of Humble Haven Yoga, and Shannon Siriano Greenwood of Rebelle and SWELL by Rebelle, are leading the charge to fill each seat. The event will begin with a happy hour and a meet-and-greet with Rao and Jackson. Each attendee receives a copy of their book.
Organizers note that these events around the country have been hopeful, uplifting experiences, even though they include some difficult or tense moments.
“Racism is not inherent to humans and it is a learned behavior,” says Williams. “Saira [Rao] and Regina [Jackson] have hosted these around the country and there have been moments of laughter, tears, frustration and excitement as we hope that this community experience leads us to a better future.”
The “Deconstructing Karen” screening and talkback with Saira Rao and Regina Jackson will be held at the Byrd Theatre on Thursday, May 25 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
This story has been updated, the event is Thursday, May 25.
