Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.
Geoffery,
Basically we try to make sure people feel welcome and no one feels exclusion at Plan B. That being said, we're in New Orleans and culturally, it's acceptable for shenanigans to happen that may not be acceptable in other spaces, which is fine, as long as it's consensual and no one feels uncomfortable. (Partners being flirty, etc.) Off-colors comments of a racist or classist nature are completely untolerated. Furthermore, our methods for dealing with disruption have gotten a lot better. If people are wasted or otherwise intoxicated and pose a threat to themselves, others, or our tools, someone will very directly tell them that it's time to leave and invite them back when their sober/not pissed off. Once in a while we have someone combative or violent. As a rule, we generally don't call cops unless the situation is way out of control or there is the threat of imminent physical danger. It's pretty rare.
One thing that's tricky is that we have a few older (55+) males that are regulars and are misogynists and this is something that has been culturally bred into them. We counter it as best we can and most of us are understanding that we just need to call them out politely when we see their "Daddy knows best" attitude emerging. It's tricky, because while not entirely blameless, you have to take into account differences in age, culture, and worldview. If the shit gets out of hand, we certainly make them leave.
As a final note, we're pretty anti-violent. However, when someone punched me in the face a few years ago, I was the first one to pick up a pipe-wrench and defend myself. At the time the shop was full of people and everyone was terrified. After "an eye for an eye" took place (Sorry, there's no cheek-turning in self defense), he was dragged out of our space and kindly deposited on the sidewalk. We then locked the doors and told him the cops were on the way (they weren't). He left quickly thereafter.
I've seen the guy a few times since then and he always threatens to kill me. Meh. It's been tried repeatedly.
I guess my answer is that keeping your shop a safe space and the tactics to enforce that are almost entirely situational. I suppose our policy would be "Be nice. Be firm. Don't let anyone kick your ass."
Or, as we like to say in New Orleans, "Be Nice or Leave."
Victor Pizarro Project Organizer Plan B, The New Orleans Community Bike Project
On 6/7/2013 2:35 PM, Geoffrey Bercarich wrote:
Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.
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This seems like a good Wiki entry.
On Jun 7, 2013, at 3:35 PM, Geoffrey Bercarich geoff.bercarich@gmail.com wrote:
Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.
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Hi!
BICAS is dealing with this internally right now as we are having to have discussions about Cultural Appropriation in the art and imagery we make/use. Furthermore, we are also discussing how we should help (or not) address violence in the communities we serve and live.
Internally, there isn't complete unity around every aspect of "what makes a space safe?" In fact, the challenge of "safe space" drives home the point that collective organizing is definitely hard (worthwhile no less)!
My reaction to the challenge of creating "safe space" is based off of my belief that if someone doesn't feel safe or if we are doing something that could make someone feel unwelcome at BICAS, let's not do it! This restricts the kind of imagery/art we can use/make and it also means we've 86'ed some community members (with a way for them to appeal), but we haven't yet come across circumstances where people feel unreasonably unsafe/unwelcome.
I realize there's a lot of grey area there in "unreasonably unsafe", but I think it's up to the situationally privileged to educate themselves about the roles they play in making others feel situationally unsafe, so don't get hung up on the details before developing your analysis of privilege and safe space. For example, at BICAS right now we are reading articles on Cultural Appropriation and not expecting community members or people of color to have to prove that Cultural Appropriation is a big deal, and we will definitely be taking resulting action toward making BICAS safe. Be proactive about making safe space! It's not a burden! It's a really important gift!
Thanks for reading my ramblings! Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more about it! I'd love to hear more ideas. This is really important to BICAS! Byx, julia/jax 520-222-9314
On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 2:12 PM, Matt VanSlyke vanslyke.matthew@gmail.comwrote:
This seems like a good Wiki entry.
On Jun 7, 2013, at 3:35 PM, Geoffrey Bercarich geoff.bercarich@gmail.com wrote:
Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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Thanks plan b and bicas for sharing. Please keep it coming.
I'm teaching a new bike collective on safe space concepts. This helps greatly.
Thank you On Jun 7, 2013 10:22 PM, "Julia Kirk" julia.kirk@bicas.org wrote:
Hi!
BICAS is dealing with this internally right now as we are having to have discussions about Cultural Appropriation in the art and imagery we make/use. Furthermore, we are also discussing how we should help (or not) address violence in the communities we serve and live.
Internally, there isn't complete unity around every aspect of "what makes a space safe?" In fact, the challenge of "safe space" drives home the point that collective organizing is definitely hard (worthwhile no less)!
My reaction to the challenge of creating "safe space" is based off of my belief that if someone doesn't feel safe or if we are doing something that could make someone feel unwelcome at BICAS, let's not do it! This restricts the kind of imagery/art we can use/make and it also means we've 86'ed some community members (with a way for them to appeal), but we haven't yet come across circumstances where people feel unreasonably unsafe/unwelcome.
I realize there's a lot of grey area there in "unreasonably unsafe", but I think it's up to the situationally privileged to educate themselves about the roles they play in making others feel situationally unsafe, so don't get hung up on the details before developing your analysis of privilege and safe space. For example, at BICAS right now we are reading articles on Cultural Appropriation and not expecting community members or people of color to have to prove that Cultural Appropriation is a big deal, and we will definitely be taking resulting action toward making BICAS safe. Be proactive about making safe space! It's not a burden! It's a really important gift!
Thanks for reading my ramblings! Feel free to contact me if you want to talk more about it! I'd love to hear more ideas. This is really important to BICAS! Byx, julia/jax 520-222-9314
On Fri, Jun 7, 2013 at 2:12 PM, Matt VanSlyke vanslyke.matthew@gmail.comwrote:
This seems like a good Wiki entry.
On Jun 7, 2013, at 3:35 PM, Geoffrey Bercarich geoff.bercarich@gmail.com wrote:
Can I ask all collectives to give their interpretation of a safe space and a method to maintain a safe or safer space.
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
http://lists.bikecollectives.org/listinfo.cgi/thethinktank-bikecollectives.o...
Thethinktank mailing list Thethinktank@lists.bikecollectives.org To unsubscribe, send a blank email to TheThinkTank-leave@bikecollectives.org To manage your subscription, plase visit:
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Geoffrey Bercarich -
Julia Kirk -
Matt VanSlyke -
Plan B