I really appreciate this article Whitney. I think it's a very clear cut, easy to read introduction to basic concepts of oppression. It identifies that there is work involved in dismantling oppression, which is great because I think a lot of people believe that other people can do the work and they can just pick it up from the people around them. I especially like the way that it focuses on what oppression is, but also on simple ways to interrupt oppressive moments AND what privilege can look like. I feel that short articles like this can often miss that piece around privilege, so I really liked that.
There is a question that came up for me while I was reading this article regarding interrupting oppressive moments. Someone in the last AOC meeting talked about the idea of "calling people out" specifically around language. And I'll admit I was one of those people that isolated themselves from family and friends because of my intense way of calling folks out for using oppressive language. Now I realize that was not the most effective way to dialog with my loved ones about oppression. And while the suggestions in the article may be useful, I was wondering (and wanting to start a conversation on the blog so that we can get in the hang of posting comments) what are the methods/frameworks/guidelines people use to interrupt moments? Are there specific ways to do that at work that may look different from the way we would talk with friends or family?
I would imagine a lot of us have had those similar struggles in our families. I know I did when I was younger. Maybe like you, I found that attack mode wasn't too helpful for creating an open space for challenging oppressive comments or beliefs. This is a really important topic to think about and spend sometime on. I was looking around and found this froma training.
Script for Interrupting a Racist and Oppressive Moment Trainers can use this script to practice interrupting racist moments.
Scenario 1: Two board members are talking to each other after a board meeting. Jennifer: It’s interesting that we keep having these conversations about immigrant rights, especially when they have more rights than us. Carl: What do you mean? Jennifer: I mean, you know, even all the Mexican immigrants who are here illegally can get married whereas law-abiding gay U.S. citizens don’t even have that right, and we didn’t do anything wrong. Carl: (Takes a breath) Carl: That comment feels anti-immigrant and racist. All people, regardless of their origin or what kind of documentation they have, are deserving of all rights. That’s why we do this work. As board members, we need to model that our organization fights for everyone to have the same rights, and I want to ask you to think about what it means to be committed to justice for all. Scenario 2: A volunteer is talking with a staff person about the organization’s efforts to build relationships with African American faith leaders in the region. Volunteer: Is it true that you’ve been meeting with the East Hills Ministry Alliance? Staff: That’s right. Developing relationships with faith communities and supporting their work is an important part of building a strong movement. Volunteer: I agree that working with supportive churches is important, but I just don’t get why you’re dealing with those churches. Black pastors are so homophobic. Staff: (Takes a breath) Staff: You’re making an assumption that all Black churches are homophobic and that simply isn’t true. There are just as many white pastors and churches that don’t support LGBT equality but people don’t make generalizations about white folks as they do with people of color. I feel really disappointed when I hear sweeping statements like this. I want you to remember that these are assumptions based in racist stereotypes that only divide our communities and the organization is actively working to change that dynamic.
I love the built in "Takes a breath" piece. I want to spend some more time on this topic. I think it will be helpful for our moving forward.
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ReplyDeleteI really appreciate this article Whitney. I think it's a very clear cut, easy to read introduction to basic concepts of oppression. It identifies that there is work involved in dismantling oppression, which is great because I think a lot of people believe that other people can do the work and they can just pick it up from the people around them. I especially like the way that it focuses on what oppression is, but also on simple ways to interrupt oppressive moments AND what privilege can look like. I feel that short articles like this can often miss that piece around privilege, so I really liked that.
ReplyDeleteThere is a question that came up for me while I was reading this article regarding interrupting oppressive moments. Someone in the last AOC meeting talked about the idea of "calling people out" specifically around language. And I'll admit I was one of those people that isolated themselves from family and friends because of my intense way of calling folks out for using oppressive language. Now I realize that was not the most effective way to dialog with my loved ones about oppression. And while the suggestions in the article may be useful, I was wondering (and wanting to start a conversation on the blog so that we can get in the hang of posting comments) what are the methods/frameworks/guidelines people use to interrupt moments? Are there specific ways to do that at work that may look different from the way we would talk with friends or family?
I would imagine a lot of us have had those similar struggles in our families. I know I did when I was younger. Maybe like you, I found that attack mode wasn't too helpful for creating an open space for challenging oppressive comments or beliefs. This is a really important topic to think about and spend sometime on. I was looking around and found this froma training.
ReplyDeleteScript for Interrupting a Racist and Oppressive Moment
Trainers can use this script to practice interrupting racist moments.
Scenario 1: Two board members are talking to each other after a board meeting.
Jennifer: It’s interesting that we keep having these conversations about immigrant rights, especially
when they have more rights than us.
Carl: What do you mean?
Jennifer: I mean, you know, even all the Mexican immigrants who are here illegally can get married
whereas law-abiding gay U.S. citizens don’t even have that right, and we didn’t do anything
wrong.
Carl: (Takes a breath)
Carl: That comment feels anti-immigrant and racist.
All people, regardless of their origin or what kind of documentation they have, are deserving of
all rights. That’s why we do this work.
As board members, we need to model that our organization fights for everyone to have the same
rights, and I want to ask you to think about what it means to be committed to justice for all.
Scenario 2: A volunteer is talking with a staff person about the organization’s efforts
to build relationships with African American faith leaders in the region.
Volunteer: Is it true that you’ve been meeting with the East Hills Ministry Alliance?
Staff: That’s right. Developing relationships with faith communities and supporting their work
is an important part of building a strong movement.
Volunteer: I agree that working with supportive churches is important, but I just don’t get why
you’re dealing with those churches. Black pastors are so homophobic.
Staff: (Takes a breath)
Staff: You’re making an assumption that all Black churches are homophobic and that simply
isn’t true. There are just as many white pastors and churches that don’t support LGBT equality
but people don’t make generalizations about white folks as they do with people of color.
I feel really disappointed when I hear sweeping statements like this.
I want you to remember that these are assumptions based in racist stereotypes that only divide
our communities and the organization is actively working to change that dynamic.
I love the built in "Takes a breath" piece. I want to spend some more time on this topic. I think it will be helpful for our moving forward.