Anti-Oppression Training Kali Daughtery Experts on Poverty Yolanda Gordon Experts on Poverty

1. Anti-Oppression Training Kali Daughtery Experts on Poverty Yolanda Gordon Experts on Poverty

2. Kali Daughtery RESULTS Advocate Expert on Poverty Yolanda Gordon RESULTS Advocate Expert on Poverty

3. RESULTS is a movement of passionate, committed everyday people. Together we use our voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Poverty cannot end as long as oppression exists. We commit to opposing all forms of oppression, including racism, classism, colonialism, white saviorism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, and religious discrimination. At RESULTS we pledge to create space for all voices, including those of us who are currently experiencing poverty. We will address oppressive behavior in our interactions, families, communities, work, and world. Our strength is rooted in our diversity of experiences, not in our assumptions.  With unearned privilege comes the responsibility to act so the burden to educate and change doesn’t fall solely on those experiencing oppression. When we miss the mark on our values, we will acknowledge our mistake, seek forgiveness, learn, and work together as a community to pursue equity. There are no saviors — only partners, advocates, and allies. We agree to help make the RESULTS movement a respectful, inclusive space. Anti-Oppression Statement

4. “They came for the communist, and I did not speak up because I WAS NOT a communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak up because I WASN’T a Jew. Then they came for trade unionist and I didn’t speak up because I WASN’T a trade unionist. Then they came for the Protestants and I did not speak up because I WAS Catholic. Then they came for me and by that time there was no one left to speak up for me.” • Martin Niemöeller (Minister) Born January 1892 in Germany A Nazi Resistor

6. Respect I Statements Ground Rules

7. The state of being subject to unjust treatment of control. Oppression is a combination of prejudice and institutional power which creates systems that discriminates against target groups and benefit dominant groups. Oppression

8. Racism Sexism Heterosexism Classism Ageism Anti-Semitism Systems of Oppression-isms

10. Racism People of color Sexism Women, transgender people Heterosexism Lesbian, gay, bisexual Ableism People with disabilities Classism Poor; working class Ageism People over 40 and young adults Anti-Semitism Non- Christian Target Groups of Oppression

11. Racism White people Sexism Men Heterosexism Heterosexuals Ableism People without disabilities Classism Middle, owning class Ageism Young people; older adults Anti-Semitism Christians Dominant or Agents of Oppression

12. Personal- Values, Beliefs, Feelings Interpersonal- Actions, Behaviors, Language, Treatment Institutional- Legal system, education system, public policy, hiring practices, and media images Societal/Cultural- Collective ideas about what is “right” 4 Levels of Oppression

13. The action of interrupting someone when they are talking • Excluding a person from a group discussion to maintain control • Using derogatory language • Personally disrespecting or mistreating an individual in the target group Interpersonal Examples

14. Housing Redlining Drug testing individuals that receive benefits Creating policies that deny target groups access to healthcare, education, employment, and housing, often defined as social oppression. Institutional Examples

15. A statement, action, or incident regraded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as racial or ethnic minority. Example: ”You speak so well for a black girl.” Example: “If women like you would just get married, you’re life will improve.” Microaggressions

16. Written by Iris Young • Exploitation • Marginalization • Powerlessness • Cultural Imperialism • Violence • Culture of Silence is created when oppressed people become so powerless that they do not talk about their oppression Five Faces of Oppression

17. Targets are oppressed for so long, that they have “no voice and no will”. Typically individuals that are oppressed are silenced by being interrupted by the agent of oppression. Then after the oppression has occurred, the agent of oppression extends an olive branch by asking “Do you have anything to add?”. By doing this they are opening the door for the target to share surface level information. Culture of Silence

18. No one can know everything, understand ever oppression, or be free of all prejudice– we know it is likely that someday someone will call us on something we say. Facing Oppression

19. Scenario 1: Say someone tells you that you have just made a racist comment… What should you do? Argue or explain to the speaker (in spite of the comment you just made) you are not a racist and they just must have misunderstood you. Take a DEEP BREATH, (Ask a question ONLY to clarify NOT to argue.). LISTEN CAREFULLY (try to understand what it was that you said or did that they are trying to call your attention to) THANK THEM (if you can do this genuinely – remember it probably wasn’t easy or comfortable for them to tell you that something you said or did was racist.). Finally, and this may take some reflection first, do what you can to TAKE ACTION: like apologize, help change a policy, better educate yourself or GO AWAY AND THINK further about what was said. Let’s practice

20. These are the steps you can use when you hear, experience or witness something homophobic, racist, ableist or otherwise oppressive. Say you need to interrupt someone who is making a homophobic or transphobic comment… What should you do? Step one 1) Do what is most common for those of us who were taught to be polite above all else: delicately make a vague reference to them thinking more carefully about what they are saying. How do I do it?

21. 2) Take a deep BREATH. It takes some courage and presence to be ready to challenge oppression because you know you will create discomfort, even if the person you are interrupting or others in the room may appreciate or benefit from it in the long run. NAME IT. Meaning tell them exactly what they just did and name the oppression they contributed to (“What you just said was transphobic.”) Example: You are not respecting that she identifies as a woman regardless of the way you see the body she was born into. The hard part

22. Just because you know someone’s story does not mean you own it. It is up to them if, when and how they want to share THEIR story. Example: A group is in a lobby meeting discussing healthcare benefits. One of the group members discusses Medicaid and then points out another member and talks about how they benefited from the program. What to change: If the person who you are discussing is in the room, let them speak for themselves. If they are not there with you ask their permission to share their story before you do it. Things to keep in mind

23. At times, many of us who are by-standers or not members of the group being targeted by an oppression have trouble embracing the idea that it may be our job to speak up. We are hesitant to create a conflict or make others uncomfortable. However, we need to remember: Those who are the targets of these situations may feel hostile, oppressive or frightening it might feel to affected by this action. It is not your responsibility or place to tell them how they can or should feel in this instance. Who’s job is it to call out?

24. Identifying and addressing incidents of racism, sexism, homophobia and oppression will make the called out person feel uncomfortable. The purpose of calling out this behavior is not to embarrass them but to educate them and assist them in making personal change. Sometimes the only way we learn or change is by being pushed out of our comfort zones so that we stop to evaluate why we are uncomfortable or why someone we know or don’t know considers our action so significant that they would take the effort to challenge it. Who’s job is it to call out?

25. Try this with a friend and PRACTICE this with each other. Invent a scenario like two friends talking and one telling a bad joke. Go through the steps and see how it feels both to interrupt and be interrupted. If we are to end an oppression we feel ourselves, we will often have to do more than just survive the inequities and prejudice we face every day. When we are able, we will have organized and educated ourselves and our allies to make change. How can we start?

26. Ending the oppression of others IS our job, especially when we have the privilege and resources to do so. To be a good ally, not only listen and but also take action. Think how the world would change… or even just how your own town would change if we all started challenging oppression and teaching our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to do the same. We are all in this together

27. An ally is a person whose commitment to dismantling oppression is reflected in a willingness to do the following: • Educate oneself about oppression; • Learn from and listen to people who are targets of oppression; • Examine and challenge one’s own prejudices, stereotypes, and assumptions; • Work through feelings of guilt, shame, and defensiveness to understand what is beneath them and what needs to be healed; • Learn and practice the skills of challenging oppressive remarks, behaviors, policies, and institutional structures; • Act collaboratively with members of the target group to dismantle oppression. How to become an ally

28. Call in/Call out If that does not work, tell RESULTS Staff If it is RESULTS staff, report it to Cynthia. You are not alone, don’t remain silent! What if you encounter oppression during the IC?

29. https://results.org/our-anti-oppression-values/ • Anti-Oppression statement • Anti-Oppression reading and discussion resource List • Anti-Oppression Facilitator Guide • Anti-Oppression “Call In Call Out” Guide Resources

30. “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” - Martin Luther King, Jr. Visit RESULTS.orgfor anti-oppression resources. For more information about Experts on Poverty