Session for potential affinity group facilitators. Benefits of affinity groups, factors that lead to more or less success, potential topics of discussion, etc.
3. Agenda
Basic Definitions
Value of Affinity Groups
Sources of Resistance
Facilitating Affinity Groups
Overcoming Resistance
Strengthening Communities
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
4. Basic Definitions
The term affinity group is used as a
bringing together of people who have an
identifier in common, e.g. race, gender,
religion, family status, etc. Affinity groups
are for individuals who identify as members
of the group and can speak to the
experience of being a member of the group
from the “I” perspective.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
5. Basic Definitions
The term alliance group is used as a
bringing together of people who have a
common commitment to an identifier group,
e.g. race, gender, religion, family status,
etc. Alliance groups are for individuals who
identify as members of the group and/or as
people who support and stand in solidarity
with that group.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
6. Basic Definitions
The term interest group is used as a
bringing together of people who want to
learn about, share, and engage in a special
interest, e.g. hobby, skill, topic, etc.
Interest groups are for individuals who want
to gather to teach, learn, and share.
Membership can be fluid and changing.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
7. Why Affinity Groups Are Great
Safety and Comfort to be
Authentic
Affirmation
Critical Mass
Identity Socialization
Building Resilience
Preparing to Engage
Deeply with Other Groups
Empowerment Toward
Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
8. Why Affinity Groups
Meet Resistance
Unacknowledged Fear
of Assembly
Unacknowledged
Resistance to
Empowerment
Desire to Stay Ignorant
of Issues
Privilege
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
9. Forms of Resistance
• False Parallels
• Inverting the Injustice
• Outright Dismissal
• Minimization
• Righteousness
• Colorblindness
• Jealousy
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
10. Facilitating Groups
Identity Pride
History
Positive Change and
Activism
Opportunities and
Challenges
Strategies for Success
Supporting Each Other
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
11. Factors Leading to More Success
Pride > Struggle
Deflection of Blame
Inclusive of Full Spectrum
Who’s in the Room
Participant Driven Curricula
Opportunities to Share
Collective Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
12. Factors Leading to Less Success
Lack of Consistency
Lack of Budget
Lack of Curricula
Reinforcement of
Stereotypes
Chauvinism
Leader Agenda
Visitors and Gawkers
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
13. Talking Points for Affinity Groups
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
http://tiny.cc/AGFAQ
14. “Affinity Spaces”
Schools Already Have
• An Admissions Based Student Body
• Gendered Bathrooms
• Board Meetings
• Tracked Classes
• Financial Aid Allocation Meetings
• Sports Teams
• Divisions and Grades
• Casts of School Plays
• Faculty/Staff Rooms
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
15. Equality versus Equity
Everybody gets a shirt versus everybody
gets a shirt that fits.
Giving everybody some insulin in
equality. Giving only people who are
diabetic some insulin is equity.
What is “fair”?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
17. Privilege
“Privilege exists when one group has
something of value that is denied to others
simply because of the groups they belong
to, rather than because of anything they’ve
done or failed to do.”
[as described by Peggy McIntosh and quoted by Allan Johnson]
Privilege is SYSTEMIC. It drives the
systems that dominate our societies.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
18. Situational Advantage
There are prime parking spots and seats
reserved for people with disabilities. People
with disabilities are often first to board
planes and other transportation vehicles.
These advantages are situational and do not
balance out systemic oppression.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
19. Safety versus Comfort
Safety: I feel that, in this space, I can ask questions without
fear of judgment. I can voice my perspective and know that
I will be validated for the fact that that is my truth. Others
may challenge my ideas, but that challenge is in the spirit of
greater shared understanding and growth.
Comfort: I feel that, in this space, my reality will be agreed
with, validated, and unchallenged. I don’t have to explain
myself to be understood, and I don’t have to justify my
perspective, as everyone shares it.
As educators, we are constantly setting up an environment
where students are safe but not always comfortable...
SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN AND GROW.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
20. Resources
Full resources, web links,
downloadable documents, and more can
be found at:
http://tiny.cc/affinitygroups
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
22. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)