Forum Post: Do you have consciousness raising and sensitivity training?
Posted 13 years ago on Sept. 24, 2011, 2:53 p.m. EST by dandydextrous
(3)
from Richmond, VA
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
No revolution can occur without first acknowledging social hierarchies that govern people regardless of whether their aware of it. that's why there needs to be raised consciousness and sensitivity training for people coming in. groups of people have been systematically oppressed throughout history even when the books say they were doing just fine. women, people of color, queer people, the disabled and transgender folks have been systematically pushed out of this system well before this and have been denied access to monetary and social privileges in many many different ways.... just because we're told we're all equal does not mean that people don't continue long histories of prejudice through unconscious (and sometimes completely conscious) social actions. remember that your lens has the power to be inclusive from the start... always bringing non-"normative" bodies and people to the forefront is KEY... make this accessible to all people. not just young white men. thank you!
How exactly would one get this training if they were interested?
Hello both, No one answered to this post before herbalicious and that is a bit sad. I don't really think there is time for training. The camp on Liberty Plaza is growing too fast. What happened in my camp (I am part of the #Spanishrevolution, the rev burst last May), is that we lost a lot of important "candidates" for this reason. I suggest you just use common sense, don't treat others the way you wouldn't want to be treated. I leave here a couple of pages that can be of use, in anyone has material to share it would be great to add those too: LEARNING STYLES: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Learning_styles Transactional analysis http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transactional_analysis DIVERSITY POLICIES, FOR EXAMPLE http://www.equalitec.com/downloads/Implementing_Diversity_Policies-Guiding_Principles.pdf
It would be GREAT if occupations would count on a HR Manager, they can do a lot to overcome this challenge. I will be aorund in case you need me. I am a QSEQ Manager and a Social Innovator certified y the WBI Cheers
When I was down at the occupation I heard someone say, "We are looking for 'not-men' to join our committee." Also, there was a black guy who lived from the Bronx (I think) that mentioned that we should talk about issues that concern people in his neighborhood. He was applauded for speaking on subject.
Honestly, I don't think that people need to be "trained" in "sensitivity" (aka. brainwashed), but so you know, it is a tolerant environment for people from all walks of life. Just watch out for the white collar cops and remember that people are not there to pat each other on the back for being unique; they are there to OCCUPY WALL STREET.
One day, a trader on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Adam Sarzen, a decade or so older than many of the protesters, came to Zuccotti Park seemingly just to shake his head. “Look at these kids, sitting here with their Apple computers,” he said. “Apple, one of the biggest monopolies in the world. It trades at $400 a share. Do they even know that?”
This evidently means something profound to you or you wouldn't post it on every string.
Would you try to articulate your epiphany instead of repeating its source?
I live on Wall Street. Get the FUCK off of Wall Street you fucking douchebags. I live here.
Oh, my mistake. I see you HAVE articulated it. Again, in every string.