Skip to main content

The Privilege of Engaging Vulnerably

Last weekend I attend the ACPA Institute for Social Justice: Envisioning Vulnerability in Social Justice Education. The institute was packed with opportunities to participate in dialogue with those with similar salient identities and hear from awesome speakers who shared their social justice journeys, research, and perspectives about vulnerability. While at the institute my understanding of vulnerability became twisted and complex – particularly as a white female social justice educator. Here is the tension that I am currently sitting with:

The need to lean into the discomfort of the work…

Brene Brown’s TedTalk The Power of Vulnerability has been viewed by over 17,000 people and has found its way onto college campuses through leadership trainings and helping frame community development models and was a framework for ACPA ISJ. Brene suggests vulnerability is necessary and fundamental to building human connectedness and the ability to empathize, belong, and love. 

I believe human connectedness is core to being a social justice advocate. A huge part of my social justice journey has been examining my identities, how they allow me to walk through this world and shape my perspectives and biases and sharing these feelings and reflections through dialogue with others. For many, this process is not natural, myself included. In order to share my authentic self with others I have to lean into the discomfort of the work, be ok with the mess, the emotions, the awkwardness, and being vulnerable. As a social justice educator I often ask my students to challenge themselves to step outside of their comfort zones and participate in ways that will encourage personal growth. I believe through intimate conversations and connections with others we will create positive social change.

…and the privilege of choosing when to be vulnerable.

And yet there is the reality that not everyone is able to select when they want to lean into discomfort. Rather, there are many who are vulnerable without choice because they do not live amongst systems and situations that allow them to feel empowered and/or contribute fully or equally as others. The potential fear of hurt, harm, or rejection that I (white, able-bodied, middle class, straight, woman) might feel as a result of choosing to be vulnerable are daily realities for others. Why would those who have had to be vulnerable choose to lean into that again?

As an educator and facilitator of social justice conversations, how can I build brave spaces that encourage all to share authentically AND is ready to support in meaningful ways when individuals choose to be vulnerable? 

On a side note: Check out this awesome spoken word artist that performed at the ACPA ISJ institute: Guante 

By Nicole Juliano








Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A Reverse Mission Trip in El Paso, Texas

Mathew 5:13-16 13  “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14  “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all   who are   in the house.   16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. – NKJV We rested in the sanctuary of Iglesia Luterana Cresto Rey in El Paso Texas, for a small worship service beginning our last reflection of our Border Immersion experience. Pastora Rosa led us by asking two questions. Who has been a light for us in our journey? Who has made an impact on you this week? How could I possible summarize my experience engaging in a community when I had learned so much? It was only seven days earlier t...
1 comment
Read more

Alumni Spotlight: Troy Andrade 2007

Troy J. H. Andrade is a 2007 graduate with a BA in Economics and Political Science, and a minor in Music.  As a student, Troy was heavily involved in The dCenter’s Rieke Leadership Program.  In fact, Troy created the Rieke Leadership Award poster that hangs in the dCenter today (right next to the bookcase, check it out!)  Troy is originally from Manoa Hawaii and still remains close to many of his friends from PLU. Troy, Jackie (Sasaki) ('07), and Noah What type of work are you doing and why is it important to you? I am currently an attorney at McCorriston Miller Mukai MacKinnon, LLP, where I specialize in complex commercial litigation, administrative law, and appeals in both state and federal courts.  Working as one of two Native Hawaiian attorneys in a prestigious and large law firm provides me with a unique opportunity to educate my colleagues on the socio-historic and political struggles of the Native Hawaiian people when dealing with issues sensitive to ...
1 comment
Read more

#WeAreOrlando

Devastated about what happened in Orlando last night. We are lucky to live in a country where we finally have equal legal rights, but the fight for acceptance and equality did not end with the Supreme Court decision last year. Homophobia continues to be a harmful and dangerous ideology that is taught - yes, taught - and passed on from one generation to the next. It is espoused by politicians in power, it is preached from the pulpit, and it's passed from parents to their children any time they tell them homosexuality is wrong, or think that depictions of gay couples in books or movies are inappropriate for children, or when they teach their kids to "love the sinner but hate the sin." This disguised insult perpetuates the idea that our families are wrong, dirty, and shameful. All for something we had no choice in and for loving someone of the same sex.
Post a Comment
Read more