Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Racial Diversity

[Kathleen Lowry (kathleenlowrylpcclmft]

Maybe the day is coming when our white neighborhoods won’t represent the most 
lucrative places to invest so diversity will be all about who would you have 
the most fun living next to? 

> On Feb 21, 2023, at 10:08 AM, Neil Planchon <neil [at] swansway.com> wrote:
> 
> <Laurie Frank - lsfrank [at] icloud.com> is the author of the message below. 
> It was posted by Neil from the Cohousing-L management team :: 
> cohousing-l-owner [at] cohousing.org. Neil
> -=-
> 
> Hi All,
> 
> I have a personal policy to not engage in conversations such as this on 
> email, social media, or listservs because I have found that they are 
> inadequate to account for all of the nuances.  We run the risk of creating 
> even more rifts than when we started the discussion.  After talking to Trish 
> and reading her response, I have decided to make an exception in this case.
> 
> After reading through all of the postings, it clarified for me that we 
> absolutely need the Coalition for Racial Diversity in Cohousing.  The U.S. 
> has a history of systemic racism that has resulted in so much historical and 
> generational trauma.  Cohousing is not immune, and none of this will fix 
> itself.  Cohousing, though, is a model that just may be able to create 
> bridges, and might just be able to offer some path forward.  
> 
> We need conversations to take place in a safe and open environment that 
> allows people to choose to be vulnerable.  We hope to create a safe container 
> for a variety of voices and perspectives at the table. 
> 
> Yes, diversity is hard.  Let's make no mistake - there are no guarantees; but 
> if cohousing can't navigate it, then we sure have given up on one of our core 
> values.  Maybe we can create restorative cultures in our communities that can 
> show another,  more inclusive and vibrant, way forward.
> 
> So, we need people from a variety of races, cultures, and ethnicities to sit 
> at the table and sort some of this out.  I invite you to apply to be part of 
> the Coalition for Racial Diversity in Cohousing.  Send the invitation to your 
> networks.
> 
> I know there are many people - especially people of color - who are just 
> tired of pushing a boulder up the mountain.  I really hope that this time can 
> different - that the path the Coalition charts for CohoUS and beyond can make 
> a world of difference.
> 
> Laurie Frank
> CohoUS Board Member
> 
> <The success of our work depends upon a diverse set of identities to develop 
> a great story. We hope you?ll join us. A detailed description of the 
> coalition can be found 
> here<https://www.cohousing.org/coalition-for-racially-diverse-cohousing/>, 
> and applications<https://forms.gle/UgdFrbeuZAoF15gm8> are open until February 
> 24.>
> 
> Laurie Frank
> lsfrank [at] mac.com
> 
> 107 Sutherland Court, Unit 101
> Madison, WI. 53704
> 
> Washing one's hands of the conflict between the powerful and the powerless 
> means to side with the powerful, not to be neutral.
> 
> Paulo Friere, Pedagogy of the Oppressed
> 
> 
> -=-=-
> ** Gentle Reminder to all subscribers: When replying to a post, please delete 
> the quoted digest and restore the subject line. Following those steps will 
> ensure your message is automatically posted rather than held in moderation. 
> Thank you. ☮️ Neil **
> _________________________________________________________________
> Cohousing-L mailing list -- Unsubscribe, archives and other info at:
> http://L.cohousing.org/info
> 
> 
>