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“Radical Genealogy”

research skills for liberatory ancestral recovery

An Online Training & Learning Community from Comrades Education

FACILITATOR: David Dean

The more I study history, the more I seem to find
that in every generation there were times just like that time
when folks like you and me who thought that they were all alone
within this honored movement found a home.”

— Si Kahn, “They All Sang Bread and Roses”

Radical Genealogy offers people of European descent genealogical research tools for connecting their individual family histories to the broader histories of racism, colonialism, capitalism, traditional culture, and political resistance that shaped our ancestors’ lives. Together, as descendants of those who were stripped of their inherited traditions and socialized to become “white,” we will explore how to use genealogical study to develop a renewed and rooted sense of self that can power our efforts for collective liberation.

Through two training sessions and curated study materials you will:

  • Gain foundational skills for starting your genealogy research and ensuring accuracy.

  • Learn about a framework for developing a rooted political identity as a Euro-descendant person through genealogical study.

  • Receive insight for connecting your own family’s story to three historical windows into our ancestors’ collective story: 1. Traditional lifeways, harm endured, and racialization, 2. Harm caused, and 3. Legacies of resistance.

  • Be part of a supportive learning community where you can process emotions and discuss questions that arise in your family history research.

Live sessions of Radical Genealogy are being held as a caucus for people with European ancestry (white and/or multiracial). To learn more about our use of caucusing as well as the facilitator’s overall approach to the training content, please view our training structure and ground rules document.

Course Details

Two live, online sessions:

Sundays, June 22 & 29

4:00-6:30pm ET • 1-3:30pm PT

Live attendance is not mandatory.

Sessions will be recorded. 

Suggested registration fee: $70-200*

No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

Comrades Education is a US-based organization and the genealogical education offered here is tailored to people with European ancestors who were settlers and immigrants in the US. While those with European ancestry not tied to a US-context can benefit from the training, some translating between curriculum content and your own genealogical study will be necessary.

Meet the facilitator

David Dean

is a political educator, writer and speaker seeking to support the growth of powerful coalitions in our social movements. He leads trainings independently and is also a contributor and former Associate Director at Comrades Education. Over the past decade, David has taught courses for more than 5000 people. He is currently writing a book titled, Roots Deeper than Whiteness, meant to help white Americans cultivate a rooted, anti-racist identity based on a deeper understanding of their ancestry that can drive their efforts for collective liberation. To receive regular writing from David and learn about other training opportunities with him, subscribe to his substack, Toward Solidarity.

What participants have said about our courses

  • “I am so grateful for the language, the love, the empowerment, and the honest respect shown by the facilitators for everyone's experience. This is the kind of work I've been looking for. You have helped me feel so much less alone.”

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  • “This course helped me to feel more motivated to work in community and at a community level - that there could actually be meaningful change that comes from that kind of action."

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  • "Many of the activist spaces I have been in used shame tactics to bring people into the movement, and it was really meaningful (and healing!) for me to be in a space that instead focused on what we can do starting now and what our individual and collective capabilities are."

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This course is actively supported by our Advisory Council Members:

Katrina Messenger

Betty Burkes

Bonnie Duran

"Why do you charge for your work?"

We believe the work that we do is significant, and we want to do it well. To this end, we charge a modest fee for our online programs, and solicit donations from participants and supporters, in order to meet our financial needs. This allows Comrades Education staff and instructors to focus their time and energy on the educational work this project promotes, for the benefit of all.

Comrades Education and our instructors support a transition away from capitalism, imperialism and white supremacy; we support reparations to historically targeted groups, communities and Peoples; and we make our work available to all regardless of financial means.

If you have further questions, please contact: info@comrades.education