Here's the safer spaces policy that a working group in Time's Up wrote over a painstaking series of months and meetings in 2011-12. It has already proven critically valuable in helping us deal with conflicts and given us a way to articulate and hold fast to a shared philosophical stance without "making it personal" when we need to confront these issues. On the other hand, enforcement and accountability are extraordinarily difficult, and all of the people who were part of this working group and to whom this subject makes sense have left Time's Up this year (including me), and that means that this document may in fact leave folks in our space more vulnerable since there's a policy on the wall that no one is actually working to uphold.

That said, we believe there's some good language here, especially where we limit our scope of the policy to behaviors carried on inside the space or at our events. We felt that this would protect people against vague accusations of having perpetrated oppressive politics through simply being around, and would also keep the conversation oriented around addressable behaviors carried on inside the coop. Also useful is the link to a resource about what privilege means - it gives folks a chance to educated themselves. http://times-up.org/about/safer-spaces-policy

Josh


On Sun, Oct 20, 2013 at 1:17 AM, james bledsoe <jamesbleds0e@yahoo.com> wrote:
Basically it goes like this, treat everyone in exactly the same manner. Regardless of how any individual; looks, acts or behaves toward you or your shop.  Give them the same courtesy and opportunities as anyone else.

I guess,  I am thinking discrimination and in reflecting Anti-oppression might mean something much different. It could take us into an eternal realm of steering our shops and honing missions.  In Los Angeles the Bicycle Kitchen keeps to wrenching and does very little in the way of outside advocacy.  Our policy of hands on learning, that the person who is going to or is riding a particular bicycle is the person who will wrench on that bicycle while it is in the kitchen. Thereby empowering that individual to be more in control of their own transportation. The bicycle if understood from its fundamental principles and is defused across our urban landscapes we can in a more complete and gentle way spread a lasting abundance.  That is Anti-oppressive.    


On Saturday, October 19, 2013 9:15 PM, Leticia Esquer <leticia@pueblobicicletero.org> wrote:
thank you!
we are learning so much from y'all!
Im excited about sharing it with my fellas and adapt it to our needs.
Once we have the spanish version, i would love to share it with y'all :)

hughs from Monterrey,
Lety Esquer
Pueblo Bicicletero


2013/10/19 Samuel <samuelchristianjensen@gmail.com>
Thanks everybody for the replies. This has been really helpful.

-Sam, Iowa City Bike Library

Den 17-10-2013 18:15, christopher@holisticcycles.com skrev:
Do to others as you would like to be treated by them. Random acts of kindness is a skill to be learned and shared, it is what the truly cool people do. If others are doing bad, walk away, It is not cool to be a fool. Stand up for others, they may stand up for you one day. Ride a bike, because it is fun.

Christopher Wallace
Holistic Cycles
140 Harrison St
Oak Park, IL. 60304



Glad to see it.  Interesting

Pretty heavy stuff, too, anyone simplify it for kids and others?

---
Please excuse the typing, very small keyboard...


On Oct 17, 2013, at 0:21, Dugan Meyer <dugan.meyer@gmail.com> wrote:

We have been working on ours at MoBo as well. We'll probably be smoothing this up a bit in the next couple of months (it's a little clunky at times), but here is our policy (you'll notice that we have a separate section in our Policies and Procedures dealing with situations of conflict). I hope this gives you all some ideas!

SAFE(R) SPACE / ANTI-OPPRESSION POLICY

We are committed to creating at Mobo a supportive, inviting, and non-threatening environment that encourages open-mindedness, respect, patience, cooperation, a willingness to learn from others, physical and mental safety, and personal empowerment. This is what we mean by “Safe(r) Space”.

We recognize that oppression based on race/ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, immigration status, ability, age, religion, place of residence, criminal record, etc., is systemic in our society, and that this oppression is enacted and experienced in everyday attitudes and behaviors. Such oppression limits the freedom of individuals to behave genuinely and robs our community of diverse viewpoints and perspectives. We are committed to working against oppression in all forms at MoBo. This commitment begins with honestly confronting our own power and privilege, and seeking to understand and change the ways we replicate this oppression through our own attitudes and behaviors.

We recognize that individuals may experience safety differently, and that no space is completely safe for everyone. This is why we say “safe(r)” rather than “safe”.

We recognize that disagreement and discomfort are central to community life and democratic engagement, but we are committed to encountering each other with respect and curiosity.

We recognize that alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs may undermine safe(r) space for individuals struggling with addiction or other health-related issues or sensitivities. Alcohol and illegal drugs are thus prohibited at Mobo at all times. Tobacco may be used only on the front porch.

Individuals are also prohibited from possessing weapons at Mobo. Defensive weapons (such as pepper spray) and tools that can be used as weapons (such as utility knives) are permitted, but may not be used as weapons. Possession or use of weapons is considered a “dangerous situation” and will be addressed in line with the guidelines provided in the Situations of Conflict section below.

It is the responsibility of all Mobo members and guests to uphold our values and co-create this “Safe(r) Space”. At times, this may require courageously confronting individuals or situations that violate these standards. Guidelines to support such action are provided in the Situations of Conflict section below.

-Dugan Meyer
MoBo Bicycle Co-op
Cincinnati, OH



On Wed, Oct 16, 2013 at 7:38 PM, BICAS Art <art@bicas.org> wrote:
Hi, 

If you get something for this can you please send me an attachment? 

We are working on the same sort of thing at our shop. 

Sweet!

Best, 

Tanya Rich 

BICAS
Art Coordinator


On Wed, Oct 16, 2013 at 3:47 PM, Samuel <samuelchristianjensen@gmail.com> wrote:
Hi folks,

I got our steering committee to agree to developing a written and posted anti-discrimination/anti-oppression policy (thought we had one but turns out not). Now I have to write one. Does anyone have an example from their collective they could share?

Thanks
Sam, Iowa City Bike Library
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--
Leticia Esquer
PUEBLO BICICLETERO
Somos Bicibles!
=======================

MIEMBROS DE LA RED NACIONAL DE CICLISMO URBANO

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