If I had to identify one core variable that magnifies our compulsion to sort ourselves into factions while at the same time cutting ourselves off from real connection with other people, my answer would be fear. Fear of vulnerability. Fear of getting hurt. Fear of the pain of disconnection. Fear of criticism and failure. Fear of conflict. Fear of not measuring up. When we ignore fear and deny vulnerability, fear grows and metastasizes. We move away from a belief in common humanity and unifying change and move into blame and shame. We will do anything that gives us a sense of more certainty and we will give our power to anyone who can promise easy answers and give us an enemy to blame.
by Sheila Warren
1. WHO WE ARE AND WHY WE GOT STARTED The Portland Parent Union was founded in April of 2009 by Sheila Warren a, mother, grandmother, activist and advocate in the Portland Or. Public School Community. She saw the interests of the teachers, school administrators, and district leadership well represented and controlling decision making.
2. Recommends A Portland Parent Union Trust Circles
3. Example In 2014
4. True belonging is not passive. It’s not the belonging that comes with just joining a group. It’s not fitting in or pretending or selling out because it’s safer. It’s a practice that requires us to be vulnerable, get uncomfortable, and learn how to be present with people without sacrificing who we are. If we are going to change what is happening in a meaningful way we’re going to need to intentionally be with people who are different from us. We’re going to have to sign up and join, and take a seat at the table. We’re going to have to learn how to listen, have hard conversations, look for joy, share pain, and be more curious than defensive, all while seeking moments of togetherness. Brene Brown
5. PPU WANTS US TO START TALKING TO EACH OTHER! INSTEAD OF TALKING AT EACH OTHER OR TALKING BEHIND EACH OTHER'S BACK. DECISION MAKING MUST BE COLLABORATIVE
6. PPU Wants to Create a Paradigm Shift. we have fought and pushed back for years. Creating allies as well as those who shun us. We have watched all our allies at PPS pushed out, fired, demonized as well. The name of the shift is called a Trust Circle.
6.1. Dr. Brene Brown says, “we’re all afraid, we just have to get to the point where we understand. It doesn’t mean that we can’t also be brave!”
7. Cultural competence is the ability to understand, communicate with and effectively interact with people across cultures. Cultural competence encompasses. being aware of one's own world view. developing positive attitudes towards cultural differences. gaining knowledge of different cultural practices and world views.
