Conclusion
In discussing this poster and working with people of diverse and vulnerable populations, I discovered that creating an inclusive space remains elusive, even for people who are committed to doing important work for social good. I offer a backbone for building capacity so that those who are committed to cultivating inclusive spaces might be able to realize their aspirations.
Until we can fully embrace the truth of our wholeness, we may have difficulty gaining the trust of those who have been oppressed. For if we hasten to challenge injustice, we bring our blindness, (we do not see ourselves in wholeness), deafness (we do not hear because we do not ask/listen) and arrogance (we ignore guidance from those we claim to help because we know better). Masked by our good intentions, we may recommit the problems of the past as our actions contradict our stated intentions. Our actions, motivated by an unhealed state, are like shooting arrows at those we claims to defend.
As a previously oppressed person, I may develop the capacity to deflect this arrow and realize that I am an unintended target. When no longer in fear and having healed any prior injury, I may ask the person who shot the arrow, “why have you shot this arrow?” And the person, whose identity as ‘fighter against injustice’ is so strong that s/he cannot see that s/he could possibly shoot an arrow responds earnestly, “I did not shoot an arrow.” The powerful force of cognitive dissonance blocks him/her from seeing an arrow, and s/he becomes indignant hearing the statement of an alternative perspective as an accusation, “I would never shoot an arrow. I am not an archer, I am a pacifist.” …
In discussing this poster and working with people of diverse and vulnerable populations, I discovered that creating an inclusive space remains elusive, even for people who are committed to doing important work for social good. I offer a backbone for building capacity so that those who are committed to cultivating inclusive spaces might be able to realize their aspirations.
Until we can fully embrace the truth of our wholeness, we may have difficulty gaining the trust of those who have been oppressed. For if we hasten to challenge injustice, we bring our blindness, (we do not see ourselves in wholeness), deafness (we do not hear because we do not ask/listen) and arrogance (we ignore guidance from those we claim to help because we know better). Masked by our good intentions, we may recommit the problems of the past as our actions contradict our stated intentions. Our actions, motivated by an unhealed state, are like shooting arrows at those we claims to defend.
As a previously oppressed person, I may develop the capacity to deflect this arrow and realize that I am an unintended target. When no longer in fear and having healed any prior injury, I may ask the person who shot the arrow, “why have you shot this arrow?” And the person, whose identity as ‘fighter against injustice’ is so strong that s/he cannot see that s/he could possibly shoot an arrow responds earnestly, “I did not shoot an arrow.” The powerful force of cognitive dissonance blocks him/her from seeing an arrow, and s/he becomes indignant hearing the statement of an alternative perspective as an accusation, “I would never shoot an arrow. I am not an archer, I am a pacifist.” …
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