Dear Nuran, Thank you for sharing this dialogue between you and Christina. I find it most interesting and important.
I have worked in many schools in the USA where the staff has focused its attention on issues of culture. My thought, which you are welcome to share as you wish, is about the possibility of holding a story-telling circle on the evening before an Open Space event such as Christina is considering. I agree with you that the presence of people from minority groups at this event would be very important. I also agree with you that the theme or question for the event should not be an "either-or"...perhaps "Opportunities for schools that serve a diverse society"...something that looks forward; but if your Open Space looks forward, it is powerful to take the time to look at the present and the past first. A storytelling circle can open people's minds and hearts before an open space event, like working the soil before planting a garden. Birgitt Williams uses a process where the participants gather in a circle, and there is a bowl of stones in the center. She invites each person to take a stone, hold it, and think about "what the stone is telling you about this organization (or about "schools in a multicultural society"). Then she asks each person to find one other person, and tell them that story. After a while, the circle reconvenes, and anyone is invited to come to the center of the circle, pick up the microphone or talking stick (Birgitt uses her temple bells), and tell their story to the group. Another way would be simply to present a theme to the group before they pair up - "Think of an experience of multiculturalism which has opened your eyes. Find another person and tell them that story." My experience agrees with you, Nuran, that opening to diversity in any organization or society elicits fear and a sense of loss and grieving about what has been before. It is easy to become stuck in fear or somewhere in the grief cycle. The storytelling circle can reveal the life, heart, and power in diversity, and make the process of letting-go of fear much easier. This can prepare a group for productive collaboration in Open Space. I thank you again for your contributions. The OSLIST is blessed by these strong voices arising from the OSonOS in Berlin. Chris Weaver Springbranch Facilitation P.O. Box 8234 Asheville, North Carolina 28814 USA 828 225 0007 * * ========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected] Visit: http://listserv.boisestate.edu/archives/oslist.html =========================================================== [email protected] To subscribe, 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign up -- provide an email address, and choose a login ID and password 3. Click on "Subscribe" and follow the instructions To unsubscribe, change your options, view the archives of [email protected]: 1. Visit: http://www.egroups.com/group/oslist 2. Sign in and Proceed
