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Ground Rules
Discussing emotionally laden material such as race can be a tricky process. We all have our ideals and values; sometimes our inner feelings and judgements conflict with those values. This is complete normal and extremely common. Such conflict can make us feel quite vulnerable when discussing our reactions for fear of being negatively judged by others. Thus, it is of utmost importance that these discussions take place in a respectful atmosphere. * Speak from your own personal experiences. Use “I”statements such as "I feel…" or "In my experience…" Avoid "You should" statements. * Don’t interrupt the person speaking. * Allow each group member to have his or her own experience. Don’t try to convince others to change their feelings or opinions. * It's okay to disagree. The goal isn’t to have everyone agree. It’s about hearing and exploring divergent perspectives. * Respect Confidentiality: Make sure that everything said in the room stays in the room. When sharing personal anecdotes, avoid using the real names of other people. * Share "Air Time": While you are encouraged to express your ideas and opinions, please do not monopolize the group's time. Help create a safe space in which everyone can speak. No one, however, is obligated to speak. "Passing" is okay. * Be conscious of body language and nonverbal responses -- they can be as disrespectful as words. * Experiment with "both/and" thinking - often two different points of view can be valid. Allow for multiple experiences. Try subsituting "and" for "but." |
