Join Us: Radical Genealogy 2025
Later this month, I'll be offering Radical Genealogy again, a training series for Euro-descendant people seeking to learn genealogical research skills for anti-racist ancestral recovery.
An online training hosted by Comrades Education • Register here or read the training description below.
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.
Sundays June 22 and 29 • 4-6:30pm ET (1-3:30pm PT)
Suggested $70-$200 registration fee • No one turned away for lack of funds • Sessions are recorded and live attendance is not mandatory
Please note: 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.
This training is supported by Comrades Education advisory council members:
Thank you for your work!