Workshop 20: Putting Antioppression Ideals into Practice

Beautiful orange sunset over a deep blue ocean. — Tapestry is Sunsetting

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Part of Building the World We Dream About

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Introduction
From Building the World We Dream About

In my vision of a beloved community, I see a dazzling, light-filled, breathtakingly beautiful mosaic, a gigantic, all-encompassing mosaic, where each of us can see, can really see, and deeply appreciate each piece. We know that each piece is of immeasurable value….
Workshop-at-a-Glance
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity Minutes Welcoming and Entering 0 Opening 3 Activity 1: Simulation, Part One 115 Closing 2 Alternate Activity 1: Case Studies, Part One 115…
Spiritual Preparation
From Building the World We Dream About

This workshop will challenge not only the participants, but also the facilitators. There are likely to be moments when the group will feel stressed by the challenge of the activity. Remind yourself that the stress and the challenge are necessary in order for learning to take place….
Welcoming and Entering
From Building the World We Dream About

Materials for Activity Sign-in sheet and pen or pencil Name tags for participants (durable or single-use) and bold markers Optional: Music and player Optional: Snacks and beverages Preparation for Activity Arrange chairs in a circle and set out name tags and markers on a table….
Opening
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 3 minutes Materials for Activity Worship table or designated space Chalice, candle, and lighter or LED battery-operated candle List of this workshop’s Goals and Learning Objectives Covenant established in Workshop 1 Newsprint, markers, and tape Optional: Meditative music and player…
Activity 1: Simulation, Part One
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 115 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint, markers, and tape Handout 1, Simulation Scenario and Process Handout 2, Simulation Descriptions — Minister and Board Handout 3, Simulation Descriptions — Social Justice Working Group Handout 4, Simulation Descriptions — White Allies…
Closing
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 2 minutes Description of Activity Instead of a formal closing, simply bring participants together and extinguish the chalice. After the chalice is extinguished, invite participants to step outside their character before leaving the workshop….
Leader Reflection and Planning
From Building the World We Dream About

Take a few moments right after the workshop to ask each other: What went well? What didn’t? Why? What do you think was the best moment of the workshop? Why? Did anything surprise you? Do we need to make any changes in the way we work together?
Alternate Activity 1: Case Studies, Part One
From Building the World We Dream About

Activity time: 115 minutes Materials for Activity Handout 7, Creating a Case Study Handout 8, Case Study Suggestions Preparation for Activity Copy Handout 7, Creating a Case Study and Handout 8, Case Study Suggestions. Read the handouts and prepare to explain them and answer questions….
Handout 1: Simulation Scenario and Process
From Building the World We Dream About

The Scenario The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Anytown has been growing by leaps and bounds for several years. This growth has resulted from new ministerial leadership as well as the congregation’s well-publicized stances on behalf of equal marriage and in support of immigrant families.
Handout 2: Simulation Descriptions: Minister and Board
From Building the World We Dream About

The Minister Rev. Christopher Emerson is a 43-year-old, single White male who is a third-generation Unitarian Universalist minister. He is known for his enthusiasm, charisma, and considerable oratorical skills. He spends an extraordinary amount of time doing the work of the congregation and has…
Handout 3: Simulation Descriptions: Social Justice Working Group
From Building the World We Dream About

Mandy Patel, 38, a White female, is a stay-at-home mom with four children. She is very interested in environmental issues and chairs the 7th Principle Committee for the congregation. She has a perky personality, but often takes on too much and is seen by many as disorganized. Mike Freeman, 17, a…
Handout 4: Simulation Descriptions: White Allies
From Building the World We Dream About

George Horowitz, 45, a White male, is an artist and interior designer born in the former Soviet Union. After moving to the area, he met and married a Korean woman who later died from Parkinson’s Disease. The power of that experience has led him to be a crusader against social injustice towards…
Handout 5: Simulation Descriptions: Caucus for People of Color and People from Marginalized Racial or Ethnic Groups
From Building the World We Dream About

Clarence Ochoa, 41, grew up in Southern California in a Filipino home. He is a dentist who joined the congregation with his wife and two daughters. He and his wife, who is White and American-born, really appreciate the liberating theology of Unitarian Universalism, yet, they are still quite…
Handout 6: Simulation Descriptions: Random Congregants
From Building the World We Dream About

As a group, brainstorm a list of personalities to weave into the simulation. Work together to develop character profiles, choosing gender, age, ethnic identity, interests, occupation, family status, and personality attributes. Once your group has created the character profiles, decide who will…
Handout 7: Creating a Case Study
From Building the World We Dream About

Your group has two choices: Craft your own case study—based on lessons learned during the community field trip, presentations by the community panel, or a controversy with racial/ethnic overtones that has flared up in your congregation. Develop one of the case studies in Handout 8, Case Study…
Handout 8: Case Study Suggestions
From Building the World We Dream About

A congregation in search of a new minister schedules a Beyond Categorical Thinking workshop for the congregation….
Leader Resource 1: Job Candidates
From Building the World We Dream About

These two roles are to be played by facilitators. Do not share candidate descriptions with simulation participants. Simply act out the roles extemporaneously if you choose to visit the various groups and committees, using your appearances as “wild cards” to keep the simulation engaging. The Job…
Leader Resource 2: Wild Cards
From Building the World We Dream About

During the simulation, visit all the committees and groups and observe of what is happening. As committees and groups begin to achieve a sense of purpose or direction, it may be a good time to throw in a “wild card” to complicate their task. You may only have time for a few wild cards. You might…
Leader Resource 3: Getting Unstuck
From Building the World We Dream About

Sometimes a group rambles or has no spark (not a good thing for a simulation!). If a group seems lost and needs a sense of direction, “coach” them toward a more active and provocative stance by suggesting that they employ one of these strategies….
Find Out More
From Building the World We Dream About

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…

Download all of Building the World We Dream About (Word) (PDF) to edit or print.

The UUA is no longer updating Tapestry of Faith programs.

Workshop 20: Putting Antioppression Ideals into Practice

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