Lesson 5.2 – Uncomfortable ConversationsUncomfortable Conversations
We want all Buy Nothing participants to be able to talk openly about their experiences in their local gift economy, and sometimes these conversations can be heated. Be cognizant of
tone policing in your actions. All community members need to be able to speak their minds openly. Being uncomfortable does not give you permission to silence others. If you must, you can use the block function to remove them from your feed, but we encourage you to first sit with the discomfort and see what it could be there to teach you. Here’s a document about
Feeling Uncomfortable and Why It’s Okay.
If you’re interested in learning more about your possible biases, here is an
implicit bias test put together by Project Implicit. As humans, it helps to be aware of our preferences, whether they are obvious to us, or not. This can enable us to understand some of our own subconscious behaviors. Your participation in a Buy Nothing community can be a journey of self-discovery. It can help you learn how to be inclusive by connecting you to your neighbors, if you are willing to listen to what they say. Inclusivity and compassion are important building blocks when creating a gifting community. We invite all participants to review this reminder about
Racism, Inclusion and Diversity in the Buy Nothing Project.
The
Equity Team is a valuable resource of volunteers with experience in Buy Nothing communities. Check out the
Dear Equity Team website that gives examples of ways that your participation in your gifting community can be more equitable.
Links