Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: 🎗️Addressing Microaggressions in Community :: TODAY at 11AM Pacific / Eastern: 2PM [Virtual Event]

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Mar 8, 2023, at 12:06 PM, Neil Planchon <neil [at] swansway.com> wrote:

> About the event…. A microaggression is a subtle but offensive comment or 
> action that causes a marginalized person to feel like the “Other”. These 
> small acts can have a big impact, causing harm and contributing to a culture 
> where marginalized people feel unwelcome. —  You’ll learn about 
> microaggressions related to race, gender, sexuality, disability, and other 
> aspects of diversity. You’ll also learn practical strategies for addressing 
> microaggressions through calling in or calling out, and gain an appreciation 
> for the nuances of speaking up for marginalized people whether they are in 
> the room or not.

I haven’t taken this particular course but want to add that all of us are 
marginalized in one way or another at one time or the other so these skills 
would be useful for all. 

One exclusion that frequently occurs in my community and has over the years 
with different sets of parents is the assumption that the only people who know 
anything about children are those with young children currently living in their 
homes. Any discussions about what children need or would like are limited to 
those parents. So the value of all the experience parents around them have as 
well as that of the professional educators in the community is ignored and the 
people are excluded.

One example is children’s meals. Recently, people who have young children have 
been organizing children’s meals without letting anyone else know. In the past 
the person who organized children’s meals had grandchildren but no small 
children living in his home. And two other adults who did not have children 
enjoyed attending and helping with these meals because they enjoyed children. 
Children’s meals were always announced like other meals. The food was just 
simpler.

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org