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Author
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Topic: women and gender in anti-oppression training
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shaolin
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 4270
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posted 26 August 2005 05:07 PM
This is partially a plea for help, a call out for ideas and I wee bit of complaining. I'd appreciate constructive thoughs and words.I've been over my head with family problems, full-time university, work and too much not-so-fulfilling activism for most of the summer. The culmination of it seems to be that I'm incredibly ill, but have previously committed to hosting an anti-oppression training. The training is the first step in a program we've been spending a lot of frustrating time on all summer so I was quite looking forward to getting it underway. A group I'm part of is holding an alternative to the regular orientation/frosh week offered by our university and we want all of our facilitators to be well aware of our no-harassment policy and get at least some anti-oppression training. There will be someone talking about abelism, someone speaking on racism, someone else on homophobia, etc. with a discussion to follow. I have been asked to talk about sexism/gender and all that stuff, which I was perfectly happy to do. However, I've been so under the weather and so out of it I forgot until I was reminded about half an hour ago. Usually I'd still have lots to say off of the top of my head, but with everything else going on my mind is a blank. It's just a quick little talk - something to get discussion started and people giving input, but I'm stuck. I've never participated in this group's particular version of anti-oppression training. Does anyone have ideas of where to start? What to put forward? It's a social justice and environmental group with a very progressive attitudes so I don't think I should be expected to spend time stating the fact that no, equality hasn't been achieved and yes, women are still a disadvantaged group. Thanks in advance...
From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jul 2003
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swirrlygrrl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 2170
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posted 26 August 2005 05:49 PM
shaolin: first of all, I'm sorry to hear about life being so stressful of late. I'm sure it will get better, but taking a bit of time now, if you can, to relax, gather your thoughts and focus your energy before the presentation will probably help a lot to get through it without adding to your stress too much.Since you say it is a progressive group, I think you are right that you can skip a good portion of the spoon fed "yes, this is an issue in society" stuff, but the fact that your group feels the need to do this might indicate that you need to focus on issues of structural oppression, subtle discrimination and equality as focused on outcomes, not necessarily on equal treatment, rather than the more blatant stuff that maybe isn't a problem in the group. So, maybe valuing different leadership styles, the need to foster and support women in producing the next generation of women leaders, subtler ways of silencing women and others in meetings, etc., the need for gendered analysis of issues (and how this shouldn't always have to come from the women in the group), and how to move past guilt or defensiveness and onto trying to act in a way that empowers women. If you do see a gendered division of labour in the group, that should be addressed. I hope this helps, and I'm sure it will go well.
From: the bushes outside your house | Registered: Feb 2002
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Email this thread to someone!
You're welcome. I sensed the urgency in your post and since most of us have probably been in a similar situation, I went for expediency. Hopefully the notes will serve to anchor you and then your own store of knowledge and experience will flow. 
