Comments on: From the Transition Cities Workshop: Shilpa Shah’s Diversity Workshop http://transitionculture.org/2008/12/16/from-the-transition-cities-workshop-shilpa-shahs-diversity-workshop/ An Evolving Exploration into the Head, Heart and Hands of Energy Descent Mon, 13 Feb 2012 00:35:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Greenpa http://transitionculture.org/2008/12/16/from-the-transition-cities-workshop-shilpa-shahs-diversity-workshop/comment-page-1/#comment-60708 Greenpa Tue, 16 Dec 2008 17:52:53 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2206#comment-60708 Excellent stuff. This is an aspect of community I've been long exposed to, and thought about at considerable length. I grew up in a couple of places (Guam and Hawaii among them) where there was no avoiding it. Here is what I think, on the chance it might be useful. Children usually love "diversity", and make friends from other groups easily- if they are allowed. That's wonderful. One way to keep your doors open would be to set up just a couple stated "rules". 1) You are welcome here. 2) We want your ideas;and we'll share all of ours with you. 3) In these meetings and activities there are two things that are forbidden; seriously: proselytizing; and intolerance of others. It's a very hard rock in the road; but I have seen good community events/traditions which eventually were ruined because- they were tolerant of everyone. Even those who are intolerant. I don't really know how this works out- but I think at least talking about "intolerance" as a destructive force to be avoided- getting it talked about; could help. You're on the right track. Excellent stuff. This is an aspect of community I’ve been long exposed to, and thought about at considerable length. I grew up in a couple of places (Guam and Hawaii among them) where there was no avoiding it.

Here is what I think, on the chance it might be useful.

Children usually love “diversity”, and make friends from other groups easily- if they are allowed. That’s wonderful.

One way to keep your doors open would be to set up just a couple stated “rules”.

1) You are welcome here.
2) We want your ideas;and we’ll share all of ours with you.
3) In these meetings and activities there are two things that are forbidden; seriously: proselytizing; and intolerance of others.

It’s a very hard rock in the road; but I have seen good community events/traditions which eventually were ruined because- they were tolerant of everyone. Even those who are intolerant.

I don’t really know how this works out- but I think at least talking about “intolerance” as a destructive force to be avoided- getting it talked about; could help.

You’re on the right track.

]]> By: Finn Jackson http://transitionculture.org/2008/12/16/from-the-transition-cities-workshop-shilpa-shahs-diversity-workshop/comment-page-1/#comment-60705 Finn Jackson Tue, 16 Dec 2008 13:03:35 +0000 http://transitionculture.org/?p=2206#comment-60705 This post and Shilpa's workshop have been labelled as being about "diversity". But I agree there are lessons here that can be applied to every conversation in transition. As Shilpa/Rob say, there are strong lessons about "‘Hi, how are you?’ rather than ‘Hi, would you like a leaflet’." And lessons about "I am doing this", rather than "I want you to do that". The metaphor we are applying in Transition Farnham (with thanks to Transition Godalming for the idea) is that it is like being at the beach with bored children (teenagers perhaps??). The solution is not to say, "Go and have some fun building sandcastles." The solution is to start building sandcastles ourselves, and then by <b>showing</b> them how much fun you are having, they can't wait to join in! It's about making our transitions more like a party than a protest march. (Now, I'm sure I read that somewhere...) This post and Shilpa’s workshop have been labelled as being about “diversity”. But I agree there are lessons here that can be applied to every conversation in transition.

As Shilpa/Rob say, there are strong lessons about “‘Hi, how are you?’ rather than ‘Hi, would you like a leaflet’.”
And lessons about “I am doing this”, rather than “I want you to do that”.

The metaphor we are applying in Transition Farnham (with thanks to Transition Godalming for the idea) is that it is like being at the beach with bored children (teenagers perhaps??).

The solution is not to say, “Go and have some fun building sandcastles.”
The solution is to start building sandcastles ourselves, and then by showing them how much fun you are having, they can’t wait to join in!

It’s about making our transitions more like a party than a protest march. (Now, I’m sure I read that somewhere…)

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