Facilitate Tough Conversations with The AND On Racism
By The Skin Deep - Official Website | Published: 2026-10-17
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to use The AND On Racism Edition to guide group dialogues about racial equity, prejudice, and privilege with actionable steps and common pitfalls.
Quick answer
The AND On Racism Edition is a conversation card deck designed to help groups explore racial equity, prejudice, and privilege. To facilitate effectively, set clear intentions, create a brave space, and use the cards to guide structured yet open dialogue.
Before You Start: Setting the Stage
The AND On Racism Edition was collaboratively created by activist and author Sonya Renee Taylor and leadership facilitator Didier Sylvain. It contains 199 thought-provoking prompts that go beyond surface-level conversations. Before you begin, decide whether the group is new to these topics or already engaged, as this will shape your facilitation style. A common mistake is jumping into deep prompts without building trust first. Instead, start with a brief check-in where each person shares their hope for the conversation.
Step-by-Step Facilitation Process
- Step 1: Set Group Agreements: Begin by collectively agreeing on guidelines: listen without interrupting, speak from your own experience, and avoid fixing or debating. Write them down so everyone can see them. Checkpoint: If someone violates an agreement, gently redirect using the group's own words, not your own judgment.
- Step 2: Draw the First Card: Ask one volunteer to draw a card and read it aloud. Give everyone 30 seconds to reflect silently before anyone speaks. This prevents the first speaker from dominating the frame. Common mistake: Letting the first response set the tone. Instead, invite multiple perspectives before moving on.
- Step 3: Use a Talking Piece: Pass a small object (like a stone or a pen) to the person whose turn it is to speak. Only the person holding the piece talks. This ensures quieter voices get space. Checkpoint: If someone holds the piece too long, offer a gentle time reminder after 2 minutes.
- Step 4: Validate Without Agreeing: After someone shares, thank them for their honesty. You don't have to agree with every statement to acknowledge the courage it took to say it. This keeps the space safe for vulnerability. Common mistake: Jumping in to correct or educate. Let the group sit with discomfort before offering context.
- Step 5: Close with a Reflection Round: End the session by asking each person to share one word that captures how they feel now. Avoid summarizing or analyzing. This honors the emotional labor done and signals the end of the formal dialogue. Checkpoint: If someone seems distressed, follow up privately after the session. Never force closure in the group.
Product Facts
- {THE AND} On Racism Edition: Are you ready to start having meaningful conversations about social justice? {THE AND} On Racism Edition is the perfect tool for those who want to delve deeper into critical issues surrounding racial equity, prejudice, and privilege. Collaboratively created by activist and author Sonya Renee Taylor of The Body is Not An Apology and leadership facilitator Didier Sylvain, this edition features 199 thought-provoking… Having a dedicated deck means you don't have to invent prompts on the spot. The 199 cards ensure the conversation stays on track without running out of material, even in longer sessions.
