BUILDING THE WORLD WE DREAM ABOUT
A Tapestry of Faith Program for Adults
WORKSHOP 2: TELLING OUR STORY: MULTIPLE TRUTHS AND MULTIPLE REALITIES, PART TWO
BY MARK HICKS. GAIL FORSYTH-VAIL, DEVELOPMENTAL EDITOR.
© Copyright 2010 Unitarian Universalist Association.
Published to the Web on 9/29/2014 10:25:42 PM PST.
This program and additional resources are available on the UUA.org web site at
www.uua.org/religiouseducation/curricula/tapestryfaith.
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
INTRODUCTION
We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree. We need to avoid thinking that we have the right answer, the only correct perspective, or that there is any. — Ruth Alatorre, in Bringing Gifts, a publication of the Latino/a Unitarian Universalist Networking Alliance (LUUNA)
This workshop introduces a technique called “serial testimony” to provide a structured way for people to tell their own stories of mattering and marginality and reflect on the connections between their own personal experiences and the experiences of People of Color and other people marginalized by race or ethnicity in their faith communities. Serial testimony is a simple technique: In small reflection groups, participants are invited to speak one at a time of their own experience while others listen without comment or discussion. Under other names (Quaker dialogue, Claremont dialogue), this technique has been used for many years, particularly in settings where the participants’ perspectives diverge so radically they have difficulty hearing each other.
The serial testimony technique is simple in concept, but requires careful preparation. Determine the composition of reflection groups in advance, arrange for appropriate meeting spaces, and be ready to guide participants as they learn to use this technique. As the reflection groups converse and during the large group discussions that follow, pay attention to stories in which an individual or a group describes a situation as “marginalizing” while others describe it as “mattering.”
Before leading this workshop, review the accessibility guidelines in the program Introduction under Integrating All Participants.
GOALS
This workshop will:
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will:
WORKSHOP-AT-A-GLANCE
Activity | Minutes |
Welcoming and Entering | 0 |
Opening | 10 |
Activity 1: Sharing Marginality and Mattering Stories | 20 |
Activity 2: Reflection Group Discussion | 55 |
Activity 3: Large Group Discussion | 25 |
Closing | 10 |
SPIRITUAL PREPARATION
It is up to you to assign participants to reflection groups for this workshop. Before doing that, set aside time to hold each of the individual participants in your workshop group in thought or prayer, appreciating the gifts they bring and the vulnerabilities and scars they carry. Silently offer gratitude for their willingness to be part of this workshop series.
WORKSHOP PLAN
WELCOMING AND ENTERING
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Greet participants as they arrive.
OPENING (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Light the chalice or invite a participant to light it while you read Leader Resource 1 aloud.
Share feedback from the previous workshop evaluations. Acknowledge shared patterns and observations to give participants a sense of how people in the group are thinking and feeling about the program. Be conscientious about maintaining confidentiality. One technique is to say, "Some people felt... ," rather than saying, "One of you felt... ." If time allows, invite participants to share one-minute observations or new insights they may have gained since the last workshop.
Remind participants of the spirit of their covenant.
Share the goals of this workshop.
ACTIVITY 1: SHARING MARGINALITY AND MATTERING STORIES (20 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Explain the serial testimony protocol. Invite the group to practice it together by responding, one at a time, to these questions:
Tell us your name again, and share how long you have been active in the congregation. Why did you join this congregation? What keeps you here?
Repeat the questions between responses, if needed.
Thank participants for sharing their stories.
ACTIVITY 2: REFLECTION GROUP DISCUSSION (55 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Review the terms "marginality" and "mattering" introduced in Workshop 1.
Invite participants to move into reflection groups you have determined in advance, and assign each group a space to meet. Invite participants to take their completed "Marginality and Mattering" worksheet and any personal notes with them. Explain directions for the reflection groups, using these or similar words:
Choose a facilitator and a timekeeper. You have 30 minutes for this part of the discussion. Divide the time evenly by the number of people in your group. Begin with a quick round of introductions (sharing first names), and then ask each person in turn to share their personal story of "mattering" and of "marginality," using the serial testimony protocol. To foster a sense of inclusion, be sure that each participant has the opportunity to speak and that every person keeps to the time allotted for their "testimony."
After the first round of sharing, go to each reflection group and distribute your customized version of Workshop 1, Leader Resource 2. Invite participants to refresh their memories by reading over the resource and then to respond to this question, using serial testimony protocol: What connections/disconnections did you make between your own story of marginality and mattering and the voices of the Unitarian Universalists from culturally marginalized groups?
Allow 20 minutes for sharing, and then invite all to return to the large group.
Including All Participants
When setting up spaces for small groups to meet, be mindful of the needs of participants with limited mobility. Ask participants to organize themselves around the location of those with limited mobility.
ACTIVITY 3: LARGE GROUP DISCUSSION (25 MINUTES)
Description of Activity
Lead a large group discussion using the questions below as guides, and close with the wrap-up points.
Suggested discussion questions:
Wrap-up points:
CLOSING (10 MINUTES)
Materials for Activity
Preparation for Activity
Description of Activity
Invite participants to spend five minutes writing feedback in response to the questions you have posted on newsprint.
Distribute Taking It Home and invite participants to do the suggested activities before the next meeting. Read the instructions aloud and invite participants to ask questions.
Offer Leader Resource 3 as a closing and extinguish the chalice.
Gather participants' written feedback.
Including All Participants
Prepare a large-print version of Taking It Home.
LEADER REFLECTION AND PLANNING
Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other:
TAKING IT HOME
We need to approach racism as it exists in our lives today, and not as an exercise in studying history. We need to share our experiences and viewpoints, and listen with open hearts and minds to each other, especially when we disagree. We need to avoid thinking that we have the right answer, the only correct perspective, or that there is any. — Ruth Alatorre, in Bringing Gifts, a publication of the Latino/a Unitarian Universalist Networking Alliance (LUUNA)
Before the next workshop, speak to two people in your congregation to learn about how and why they joined your faith community. If possible, talk to people who identify as People of Color or from other ethnic or culturally marginalized identity groups to learn about their decision to be a part of your community. Reflect on how their stories align with this notion of marginality and mattering.
BUILDING THE WORLD WE DREAM ABOUT: WORKSHOP 2:
LEADER RESOURCE 1: MATTERING
Originally written anonymously by a gay high-school student and adapted for this exercise.
Mattering
My father asked if I am gay
I asked, Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I said, Yes.
He said get out of my life.
I guess it mattered.
My friend asked why I talk about race so much?
I asked, Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I told him, Yes.
He said, You need to get that chip off your shoulder.
I guess it mattered.
My neighbor asked why I put that ramp up to my front door.
I said, Does it matter?
He said, No not really
I told him because it made my life easier.
He said, Is there a way to make it less obvious?
I guess it mattered.
A member of my church asked why I like gospel music.
I asked, Does it matter?
She said, No, not really.
I told her that it connects me to my southern, Christian childhood.
She said, I think you're in denial about your oppression.
I guess it mattered.
My God asked me, Do you love yourself?
I said, Does it matter?
She said, YES!
I said, How can I love myself? I am gay, Latino, disabled, and a Christian in a hostile climate.
She said that is the way I made you.
Nothing will ever matter again.
BUILDING THE WORLD WE DREAM ABOUT: WORKSHOP 2:
LEADER RESOURCE 2: SERIAL TESTIMONY PROTOCOL
Adapted from the work of Peggy McIntosh and Emily Style.
Testimony: bearing witness, giving evidence; speaking the truth of one's experience and perspective; bearing responsibility for one's own truth.
"Serial testimony" is very simple: the facilitator poses a question, and each participant speaks in turn without reaction from other group members. Under other names (Quaker dialogue, Claremont dialogue), this technique has been used for many years, particularly in settings where the participants' perspectives diverge so radically that they have difficulty hearing each other.
This technique does not aim to solve large problems or create intimacy among participants. The strength of this method is that it challenges participants to speak their own truth while protecting individuals from becoming the focus of discussion. By providing the opportunity for everyone to hear a wide diversity of perspectives, serial testimony can be remarkably effective in building participants' mutual respect.
As simple as this technique is, to many participants it will feel unnatural, especially in settings where they are accustomed to discussion. The facilitator must carefully prepare the group in advance. Ask the participants to honor the following ground rules:
You might tell the group they will probably have strong reactions to the process; ask them to hold onto and reflect on their thoughts and feelings. Assure them that there will be ample opportunity to continue the dialogue in other settings.
Move systematically around the circle rather than asking for volunteers to speak. You may want to pass a talking stick or other object to reinforce the ground rules.
Allow people to pass if they are not ready or do not wish to speak; return to those who pass after everyone else has spoken, to see if they now wish to speak. If someone speaks out of turn, the facilitator should gently but firmly restate the ground rules; otherwise, the facilitator too should refrain from comment.
Closing serial testimony may be done in several ways:
BUILDING THE WORLD WE DREAM ABOUT: WORKSHOP 2:
LEADER RESOURCE 3: THE WAY IT IS
William Stafford, "The Way It Is," from The Way It Is: New and Selected Poems. Copyright (C) 1998 by the Estate of William Stafford. Reprinted with the permission of Graywolf Press, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The Way It Is
There's a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn't change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can't get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time's unfolding.
You don't ever let go of the thread.
FIND OUT MORE
The UUA Multicultural Growth & Witness staff group offers resources, curricula, trainings, and tools to help Unitarian Universalist congregations and leaders engage in the work of antiracism, antioppression, and multiculturalism. Visit www.uua.org/multicultural (at www.uua.org/multicultural) or email multicultural @ uua.org (at mailto:multicultural@uua.org) to learn more.