Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Racial Diversity

[Jan DeKenis (jdekenis]

FWIW Re-learning how to write in paragraphs helps in avoiding
misinterpretation.
Jan DeKenis

On Tue, Feb 21, 2023 at 11:08 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
>
>
> -=-=-
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