[Wamvan] Walking for Rape Relief

Tue May 17 18:13:52 PDT 2011

Hi everyone,

Thank you for all your thoughtful messages.

The WAM Vancouver organizers have been discussing the logistics of planning
a WAM community forum on these issues, and we decided that this is too
important a discussion to organize hastily over email.

I should also point out that WAM already has a set of core values that WAM
Vancouver is operating on. You can read them
here<http://www.womenactionmedia.org/about/values/>.

As you can see, WAM is already committed to being "intergenerational,
anti-racist, pro-economic-justice, trans-welcoming, queer-friendly,
pro-immigrant, anti-abelist, interfaith, and supportive of size diversity."

What we have yet to talk about is how WAM Vancouver can respond to the
particular tensions and divisions in the Vancouver activist community.
Debates about Vancouver Rape Relief may be a part of that conversation.

That is why we have decided that the WAM organizing committee will meet in
person first before going forward with plans for a community forum. We will
keep you all posted.
*
In the meantime, we welcome dialogue about all the issues already discussed
and more on our listserv. *

We just want to make sure you know that our listserv is unmoderated, and
that comments or postings to the listserv do not necessarily reflect the core
values <http://www.womenactionmedia.org/about/values/> of WAM.

The only requirement for participation in the WAM Vancouver listserv is that
members remain conscious of our commitment to fostering "safer space."

We acknowledge that no space can be safe for everyone all the time, which is
why we are looking to create "safer" spaces where we can discuss our
differences in a personal and open manner without judgment and isolation.

Here's a good quick starting off point if you are looking for something:
http://web.uvic.ca/~psn/resources/manual/guidelines-for-creating-safer
-spaces/

Thank you everyone! Please do not hesitate to call me if you have any
questions or concerns that you think I can address for you. My number's 778
388 9176.

Joanna

On Tue, May 17, 2011 at 9:46 AM, Cynthia K. <cyn.khoo at gmail.com> wrote:

>  Hi everyone,
>
> Thanks for your thoughtful responses to my question, Tami and Kalamity.
>
> Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the discussion due to being
> overseas for the next while, but I look forward to reading about what comes
> of it.
>
> Sincerely,
> Cynthia
>
>
> > Date: Mon, 16 May 2011 22:57:06 -0700
> > From: harsha at resist.ca
>
> > To: wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > Subject: Re: [Wamvan] Walking for Rape Relief
> >
> > hi all,
> >
> > sorry haven't read all the strings but do believe this too be an
> important
> > issue and def best discussed in person.
> >
> > if i can support, pls let me know. i can arrange space at the dtes
> women's
> > centre (after hours - so empty meeting room basically) in the evenings,
> > depending on day and if agreeable to others.
> >
> > in terms of facilitation and 'neutrality': i think a WAM meeting to
> > facilitate conversation amongst the group and to establish consensus does
> > about WAM principles require more of a hands-off facilitator than say an
> > anti-oppression workshop on transphobia facilitated by a trainer on the
> > specific issue. while of course facilitators of meeting and workshops
> > should all have an anti-oppression analysis, the *tone* of a meeting vs a
> > workshop is quite different in terms of level of engagement of the
> > facilitator.
> >
> > i do also think a specific agenda is helpful at the outset - ie is it
> > WAM's trans-inclusion policy (what that means in practice not just
> > stated); a specific conversation about rape relief (the issues here
> extend
> > beyond their trans policy); establishing a broader basis of unity
> (someone
> > mentioned decrim and sex work as points of conversation); email list
> > protocols (ie if someone posts information from or about an organization
> > that may not meet WAM's to-be-determined mandate). while these are all
> > overlapping, a focus would be helpful.
> >
> > just some thoughts, harsha
> >
> >
> >
> > > Hello again.
> > >
> > > I have ties to Vancouver Rape Relief that go back a few years. I want
> to
> > > speak with some of the members, who I have worked with, before I take a
> > > stance on this thread. Tami, Kalamity, I hear you. I do not want to
> ignore
> > > oppression in any form, while focusing on some 'greater good.' Frieda,
> > > thank you for your words on feminists sticking together.
> > >
> > > Elyse, I don't think we
> > > can frame our core values before having this larger debate (which
> > > Frieda will be included in, end of June.)
> > > but I am willing to give it a shot. I am free on the 23 May, 2011.
> > >
> > > Thanks for being so alive, people.
> > > Farida
> > >
> > > A
> > >
> > > On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 8:30 PM, E J
> > > <the.xenophiles.violin at gmail.com>wrote:
> > >
> > >> I don't want anyone who wishes to participate in the discussion/debate
> > >> surrounding VRR to feel left out of it, so I think it could be saved
> for
> > >> June when Frieda gets back.
> > >>
> > >> However, I do think it would be very beneficial for the organizers to
> > >> meet
> > >> as soon as possible to discuss and outline the core values of WAM
> > >> Vancouver,
> > >> as Kalamity suggested above. I know we've already established that the
> > >> group
> > >> is to be trans-inclusive, intersectional, etc. (as per the
> international
> > >> WAM
> > >> statements and our own values as a group), but we may need to formally
> > >> take
> > >> a position on some of these issues in order to ensure that everyone's
> on
> > >> the
> > >> same page and to avoid future conflicts.
> > >>
> > >> For what it's worth, given VRR's track record, I have a feeling the
> > >> international WAM would not endorse or support it. (Just being honest
> > >> here.)
> > >>
> > >> Is it possible to divide these into two separate discussions?
> > >>
> > >> I'm free on the 22nd and 23rd.
> > >>
> > >> Elyse
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:19 PM, Joanna Chiu
> > >> <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com>wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> how would that work? Would we have to pay a fee?
> > >>>
> > >>> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 8:17 PM, Frieda Werden
> > >>> <frieda.werden at gmail.com>wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>> Let's get a moderator through the Centre for Dialogue at SFU.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:06 PM, Joanna Chiu
> > >>>> <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com>wrote:
> > >>>>
> > >>>>> Oh shoot, I didn't notice that Kalamity was not free next Tuesday.
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Do any of these dates work for people?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Sunday, May 22nd
> > >>>>> Monday, May 23rd
> > >>>>> Sunday, May 29
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Frieda: Yes, I agree that our moderator should try her best to
> > >>>>> withhold
> > >>>>> her personal opinion in order to effectively moderate.
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> It might be hard to find someone that's completely lacks an opinion
> > >>>>> on
> > >>>>> these issues, but if someone is willing to fill this role for us,
> > >>>>> please
> > >>>>> step up.
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Otherwise, can we think of someone outside of WAM that we can
> > >>>>> approach
> > >>>>> to help us moderate?
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Joanna
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 8:01 PM, Joanna Chiu
> > >>>>> <chiu.joanna5 at gmail.com>wrote:
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>> I think end of June would be too late. Does next Tuesday evening
> > >>>>>> work
> > >>>>>> for you?
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> If you'll be out of town, maybe we can skype you in?
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Joanna
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> On Mon, May 16, 2011 at 7:59 PM, Frieda Werden <
> > >>>>>> frieda.werden at gmail.com> wrote:
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> I would be happy to participate in a group discussion about this
> > >>>>>>> issue, both to learn and to make my case. End of June?
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>>>> Wamvan mailing list
> > >>>>>>> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > >>>>>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> --
> > >>>>>> Joanna Chiu
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Freelance Writer
> > >>>>>> joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
> > >>>>>> twitter.com/joannachiu
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>> Founder, WAM! Vancouver
> > >>>>>> wamvancouver.wordpress.com
> > >>>>>> twitter.com/wamvancity
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> --
> > >>>>> Joanna Chiu
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Freelance Writer
> > >>>>> joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
> > >>>>> twitter.com/joannachiu
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> Founder, WAM! Vancouver
> > >>>>> wamvancouver.wordpress.com
> > >>>>> twitter.com/wamvancity
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>>> Wamvan mailing list
> > >>>>> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > >>>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>> --
> > >>>> Frieda Werden, Series Producer
> > >>>> WINGS: Women's International News Gathering Service www.wings.org
> > >>>>
> > >>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>> Wamvan mailing list
> > >>>> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > >>>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> --
> > >>> Joanna Chiu
> > >>>
> > >>> Freelance Writer
> > >>> joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
> > >>> twitter.com/joannachiu
> > >>>
> > >>> Founder, WAM! Vancouver
> > >>> wamvancouver.wordpress.com
> > >>> twitter.com/wamvancity
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> _______________________________________________
> > >>> Wamvan mailing list
> > >>> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > >>> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --
> > >> Elyse Jacobson, Violinist
> > >> http://facebook.com/TheAdventurousViolinist
> > >> http://myspace.com/HorsehairAndWire
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> Wamvan mailing list
> > >> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > >> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >>
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > > --
> > > *Farida Hussain*
> > > Student, Journalist
> > > UBC Graduate School of Journalism
> > > Phone: 604 649 8619
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > Wamvan mailing list
> > > Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > > https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > Wamvan mailing list
> > Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> > https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
>
> _______________________________________________
> Wamvan mailing list
> Wamvan at lists.resist.ca
> https://lists.resist.ca/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/wamvan
>
>

-- 
Joanna Chiu

Freelance Writer
joannachiu.com <http://www.joannachiu.com/>
twitter.com/joannachiu

Founder, WAM! Vancouver
wamvancouver.wordpress.com
twitter.com/wamvancity
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.resist.ca/pipermail/wamvan/attachments/20110517/82222418/attachment.html>