[Smashpatriarchy] SJC Funding Denied [IMPORTANT] please read

Thu Jan 31 01:54:55 PST 2013

Hi all,

I understand that I'm no longer in Vancouver, but I still fee aligned with
this group and given that I won't be at a meeting in the near future I just
wanted to express my response to the denial of funding. Their response is
very considerate and thoughtful, and I have no problem with them wanting to
use their resources how they wish, but their response left me a bit uneasy.
I agree that oppressed groups are not *expected *to devote time to
education, but i'm uncomfortable with the way this discourse is being used
here. My understanding is that the event was to get individuals who want to
do this. I don't believe SAP is coercing marginalized groups to educate
other - so i'm confused with the reasoning. More importantly, I feel very
alienated by their response and understanding of allyship. I do not agree
with the way they figure allyship when they say that events such as these
should not be done by those "still" in the process of allyship. This
suggests that we can somehow leave the process. One never becomes an ally -
no amount of training can do so - but is always in the process of becoming.
While training is always important, it appears to me that they almost
understand it that once one has had sufficient training, and is no
longer *still
*in the process of allyship, then it becomes legitimate to do solidarity
work - but they also emphasizing the impossibility of ever being an ally
(given it's shifting defintion), and so the question arises: how can one *ever
*do solidarity work; what does solidarity even mean in the context of their
reasons?

A message like this makes me feel uneasy and lost - I do not know how one
can do solidarity work if opportunities for accountability are disavowed
from the start, i don't know how to do solidarity work if one is expected
to have received enough training in order to become an ally, i don't know
how to do solidarity work if the notion that solidarity is always shifting
and in flux means that one can never do solidarity - as if we have to wait
for a final never-to-come idea of solidarity. Their discourse here is
important, but i feel is should be articulated as a sign of danger, rather
than as a negation - and perhaps it is due to the format of denying funding
that it comes off as such. I feel that the risk of homogenization, boundary
crossing, and general problematic displays of solidarity are always a risk
- but they are just that, risks - risks should make us cautious, make us
open to possibility of accountability - they should not paralyze us. Why is
it that I feel paralyzed for their reasons?

Aylon.

P.S. I don't know/remember what the exact wording of the the request was,
so their language may be appropriate given the context. My response does
not really have an in-depth context here, and so i'm just going off on
their response as a general analysis of solidarity and allyship.

On Thu, Jan 31, 2013 at 1:53 AM, Christopher Leinonen <
christopher.leinonen at gmail.com> wrote:

> These are all important points, look forward to talking about them in
> person.
> And kinda interesting re: the issues of differing ideas of allyship, since
> a lot of people seemed pretty into the idea of us doing the dirty work of
> setting up an event that gives a voice to women.  Though I guess the theme
> is maybe a bit of an issue on that front.
>
> I'd say contacting Anisa is definitely a good idea, too.
>
> -C
>
> On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 5:26 PM, Darren Chang <darren.chang at live.com>wrote:
>
>>  Hi all,
>>
>> Mav I think it would be great for you to contact Anisa and Reg I agree we
>> should discuss the SJC reply first. So Mav perhaps contact her after our
>> meeting on Sunday?
>>
>> Darren
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 14:26:37 -0800
>> Subject: Re: [Smashpatriarchy] SJC Funding Denied [IMPORTANT] please read
>> From: regjohanson at gmail.com
>> To: mavaddat.javid at gmail.com
>> CC: darren.chang at live.com; smashpatriarchy at lists.resist.ca
>>
>>
>> maybe we should have a meeting to discuss this response first? this
>> sunday?
>>
>> On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 1:33 PM, Mavaddat Javid <mavaddat.javid at gmail.com
>> > wrote:
>>
>> That seems like a considerate response from the SJC representative.
>> Perhaps we should contact Anisa. I know her personally and I believe she
>> would be pretty enthusiastic about helping us. What do you think?
>> On Jan 30, 2013 1:19 PM, "Darren Chang" <darren.chang at live.com> wrote:
>>
>>  UBC SJC funding denied, please see below for info.
>>
>> Darren
>>
>> ------------------------------
>> Date: Wed, 30 Jan 2013 12:54:00 -0800
>> Subject: Re: Funding Application - Solidarity Against Patriarchy
>> From: socialjusticecentre.ubc at gmail.com
>> To: darren.chang at live.com
>>
>> Hi Darren,
>>
>> Thank you for submitting your funding application. Unfortunately, we will
>> not be funding this event due to a number of concerns raised by our
>> members. The SJC operates on consensus and as such, we cannot approve
>> funding proposals that are not passed unanimously during our meetings.
>>
>> Although we do feel the proposed event can become a valuable opportunity
>> for individuals in the process of becoming allies, there are a couple of
>> things that were concerning for us. We wanted to take some time to
>> highlight these for you as we feel it is part of the learning and growing
>> process for allies. First, it should be noted that it is problematic when
>> members of an oppressed group, any oppressed group, are expected to devote
>> time and resources to educating growing allies on their roles and how they
>> can become better allies. This is not to say that there aren't groups
>> willing to do so, but that in most cases, it is problematic for allies to
>> be asking for members of the oppressed groups to provide for their
>> education, due to the power dynamics at play. If such an event is to take
>> place it should be done under the leadership and direction of those who are
>> female-identified, not by those who are still in the process of allyship.
>>
>> Second, the title of "ally" is one that is constantly shifting and
>> changing. It is a role that is always being learned and one that cannot be
>> self-bestowed.  Furthermore, not all female-identified individuals' ideas
>> of allyship are the same and so it is important to constantly recognize the
>> role as one that is never complete and always growing.  One
>> female-identified person's idea of allyship in a gendered context may be
>> contradictory to another female-identified person's idea of allyship.  The
>> speakers and organizers at this event will have the most power in shaping
>> the definition of being an ally against gender oppression, but this may
>> serve to homogenize 'woman's experience' and allyship roles.
>>
>> There are several organizations in Vancouver which offer allyship
>> training.  One of which is the Sexual Assualt Support Centre at UBC.  Anisa
>> is the manager and can be contacted at sasc at ams.ubc.ca. <sasc at ams.ubc.ca>
>>
>> Thanks!
>> Nai & Jannel
>>
>> On Thu, Jan 24, 2013 at 4:17 PM, Darren Chang <darren.chang at live.com>wrote:
>>
>>  Greetings,
>>
>> Please find attached the funding application for Solidarity Against
>> Patriarchy.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Darren
>>
>>
>>
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