Week 3, Lauren D.

      

            This week the youth and young adults continued scribing their own story and voice of who they are, where they came from, and what they yearned for others to know about their experiences and journey.  A conversation was started about an event that one of the young adults was speaking at later in the evening.  This young adult had sketched out an absolutely powerful and impactful speech that spoke to the expectations young black males face in today’s society.  One specific line read “O say can you see, can a nigga breathe?”  This racial language intertwined with the mention of the National Anthem sparked controversy among the group regarding whether or not it would be “too much” for the politicians this young adult was going to be speaking to. The consensus among the group was not to take this out, and to challenge the thinking of the audience. 

            Another portion of the speech included reference to the recent event where an NFL player knelt during the National Anthem. Earlier this season “San Francisco 49ers quarterback, Colin Kapernick, helped jumpstart a national conversation regarding police brutality when he sat during "The Star-Spangled Banner" during an NFL preseason game, later choosing to kneel during it.”  http://dcgazette.com/2016/one-nfl-team-ordered-stand-national-anthem-why-be-patriotism/

One youth explained that we each have our own opinions, values and morals.  Who are we to judge others for standing up for what they believe in?  Another youth, stated that along these same lines, we are each entitled to our own opinions.  We should not criticize others on their beliefs even if they are far-fetched from our own.

            As I was facilitating this discussion among the group, I truly was amazed and refreshed by the respect of the participants.  Each member listened to each other, with the genuineness of being open to those that were challenging or expressing another view.  I felt honored being a part of such a dynamite group.  I also felt excited by the mindset of these incredible youth and young adults at the table.  Now the question is, how do we allow the greater society and community to take on such open mind and hearts?  How do we embrace as a whole this opportunity to love and care for each other, even with colliding opinions or ideas?  This group is truly at the forefront of bridging the gaps that exist, and it is so exhilarating to be a part of the action!

Lauren D., Week 2

     

                                                       

         This week as we continued to meet with a group of energized youth, two exciting components emerged regarding social inclusion and the goal of bridging this gap. First, we were successful in bringing another stakeholder to join to us in this project. Jerome Bennett, Disproportionate Minority Coordinator with Department of Corrections, sat at the table for this week’s meeting with the youth. I have had the opportunity to work with Jerome last semester, during my internship with Youth MOVE, and co-facilitated several focus groups with him at Long Creek Juvenile Detention Center. These groups were formed of committed/detained minority youth and explored the obstacles they faced in Maine’s systems of care. In June of 2016, Jerome held an “Injustice to Justice” forum, as mechanism for engaging participants in a conversation about racism and seeing firsthand the injustice that youth of color face. “The kids that I work with hear it and get discouraged, and (the rhetoric) ends up justifying beliefs they already have, and it polarizes communities,” Bennett said. “It perpetuates implicit bias and stigmas that people are already trying to combat” (Pafundi, 2016, p.1).
      Secondly, this week as the youth were brainstorming ideas for scribing their “own story,” there stemmed a dialogue around their perception of themselves. One youth explained his own internal battle of balancing not being “too black” because of wanting to fit in, but also not trying to be “too white” and someone he is not. In Racing to Justice this week, Powell discusses a similar message while referring to a 1986 study. “A number of African Americans, especially young males define doing well academically we “acting white” and take pains to avoid the stigma of whiteness, or perhaps the stigma of seeming to separate from the group to win acceptance from an institution perceived as fundamentally hostile or rejecting” (pg.88). Not only are these youth hitting the obstacle of racism in the community, but also are struggling with finding their true selves!
References:
Pafundi, J. (2016, June 22). Forum takes hard look at racism in Maine’s juvenile justice system. Kennebec Journal. Retrieved from http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/06/22/forum- takes-hard-look-at-racism-in-maines-juvenile-justice-system/

Powell, J. A. (2012). Racing to justice: Transforming our conceptions of self and other to build an inclusive society. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.

Lauren D, Week 1

“I hope we will use our hearts, mind and one another to be more expansive in our thinking.”

John A. Powell

As we began our inspiring journey this week, we risked our vulnerabilities and implicit biases for the greater whole of bridging the gap of social inclusion. This risk took courage, not only for us as facilitators of a group of youth, but for the youth themselves, who have volunteered and committed to engage upon this voyage with us. The energy and excitement that this group of youth brought to the table was beyond powerful. Each and every one of them contributed with ideas and suggestions. There was a sense of authenticity of letting down their guards to share experiences with each other. As cultural norms and values were eagerly shared, the youth found numerous commonalities, even coming from different tribes and countries. The youth taught us that in their cultures it is expected when shaking an adult’s hand this is done with the right hand, while the left hand is held around the right forearm. When asked what the significance of holding the right forearm was, the youth explained it is symbol of respect, as if they are so blessed to be shaking the other persons’ hand they are trembling with honor. The youth enlightened us with conversations that surrounded the importance of cultural principles held onto within their homes and their families’ constant reminder to “remember where they come from.”

Lesson Learned: Appropriate and understandable language is going to be vital in carrying out this project. As facilitators, we quickly learned that the youth did not fully understand the concept of “social inclusion” or “bridging gaps.” Utilizing examples and more simplified language, this was easily explained, but a crucial reminder of the need to be continuously checking in!

References:

Powell, J. A. (2012). Racing to justice: Transforming our conceptions of self and other to build an inclusive society. Bloomington: Indiana University Press.