Why a BIPOC-only training?

Betty, here. I imagine some of you are asking: why offer a BIPOC-only training? For others, the answer will be obvious. (BIPOC stands for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color)

Though we have been thinking of it for a while, what spurred this one was a request, by a few people. And we said Yes!

For those for whom it seems strange, I offer this. As a woman, I can tell you that though much of the time I like being in mixed-gender spaces, there are times when it’s really helpful, and restful, to be in a woman-only space. There are things I can experience and learn in woman-only spaces that are just not going to happen in a mixed-gender space. Likewise for a men-only space or an LGBTQ space. It’s just different. Different opportunities, different learnings. The same would be true of grandmothers-only spaces or older-white-chubby-women-with-bad-feet-spaces. (Now that I think of it, that sounds really fun!) I wouldn’t want to spend all my time in any of those spaces, just some amount of time.

I can also say this. The Wheel of Consent was developed by a particular person with her own blind spots. Some of those are related to culture, background, education, gender, and race, among other things. I have been asked how the Wheel of Consent relates to social justice and liberation, and I have some ideas about that, but I sure don’t have it all figured out. At a recent Like a Pro, someone brought up the idea of having a Like a Pro that focused specifically on cultural liberation, which sounds great! Maybe we’ll come back to that next year.

I would like to assure all the White folks who ask this question that it doesn’t mean you (we) are bad or dangerous. It means that there are times when people of color find it helpful to be in groups without us, and this is one of those times. I, for one, welcome the opportunity.

Well, then, why am I (Betty, a white person) one of the teachers? Two reasons. One is that the people who requested this event requested it, because they wanted to study with me. The other reason is that our teachers and trainers of color are not yet quite trained-up enough to lead it themselves. We’re working on it! We are working on training a number of people to teach Like a Pro. I will be ready to step out of the room at any time it’s useful.

For more: Here's an article written by a woman of color, that goes more deeply into this question. https://arrow-journal.org/why-people-of-color-need-spaces-without-white-people/

The teaching staff:

Betty Martin, co-teaching

JoJo Bear, co-teaching

Max Pearl, assisting

Vani, assisting

Carmen Leilani, assisting

Will the course content differ from the usual Like a Pro?

The Wheel of Consent remains the same and the basic course content remains the same. At every Like a Pro we adapt to whoever is in the room, and whatever questions they bring, and that will remain the same. I imagine that some dynamics and feelings may arise that otherwise would not, and if so, we will honor and follow those as needed.

What does the School expect to learn?

We expect to see some things we may have been missing, in how we teach the Wheel of Consent. I expect that our other trainings will benefit from new insights.

How do we register?

The same way as usual - by reading the group agreements, filling out the application, and having a conversation to be sure we are a good fit. JoJo and Betty will be offering those conversations.

Are there scholarships?

Yes, as per the usual route. Talk to your interviewer about what you need and they will set you up.

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