the barriers men of color face in the movement to end gender violence and strategies to support them...
TRANSCRIPT
The Barriers Men of Color Face in the Movement to End
Gender Violence and Strategies to Support Them
May 20, 2011Presenters
Monica Collins & Alejandro Covarrubias
Introductions
Ground Rules
Barriers & Strategies
Questions
Examples & Impact
ROAD MAP
Introductions
Monica Collins
• Assistant Director for Prevention and Education Programs & Victim Advocate in the Women and Gender Advocacy Center at Colorado State University
• Current graduate research is in the field of Sociology and is titled The Symbolic and Structural Similarities between Antebellum Slave Markets and Modern Day NCAA Football Recruiting.
• Teaches courses at CSU on race/ethnicity in popular media, gender socialization and violence prevention.
Alejandro Covarrubias
• Program Specialist, Center for Multicultural Excellence at the University of Denver
• Developed and facilitated Men’s program on masculinity development and sexual assault prevent at 3 different college campuses
• Presented on Men of Color in anti-violence/gender violence movements
East CoastMidwestNorthwestMountain RegionSouthSouthwest
Where are people from?
What field are people in?CorporateHigher EducationNon-ProfitOther Field
No ExperienceLimited ExperienceSome ExperienceExtensive Experience
How much experience do you have working with Men of Color
in anti-violence work and/or discussing this topic?
Community Guidelines• There are no “experts”… including us! • We will speak from our personal experiences and
ask that you do the same.• We all might experience moments of feeling
triggered, defensive or uncomfortable, especially as we are talking about unconscious racism in the movement. Try to remain open to the process.
• Let’s all pay attention to moments when we feel defensiveness, discomfort and/or validation. Those feelings are clues!
6 BARRIERS & STRATEGIES
1. Singular definition of masculinity
2. Limited space to process trauma
3. Racism within institutions and society
4. Leadership within the anti-violence movement
5. Loss of community
6. Historical Context
Singular definition of masculinityB
AR
RIE
R 1
“Masculinity” is synonymous with White MasculinityMen of Color experience a racialized masculinity:
Driven by Media ImagesBlack and Latino men are often seen as hyper-aggressive and
hyper-violentAsian men often seen as asexual,
passive, and feminized
Singular definition of masculinity
Impact:Black and Latino men are stereotyped as more
masculine and thus more violentAsian men face added homophobic harassment
and/or feel the need to use hyper-masculine posturing as a response to racial harassment
Example: Media response to Common’s invitation to perform at the White House
BA
RR
IER 1
Move from masculinity to masculinities
STR
ATEG
IES
Honor that there are many forms of masculinity for all menAn individual’s masculinity is formed by intersections of
other social identities like race, class, disability, sexuality, religion and nationality
Do not let White culture define the experiences of Men of Color
What is “Machismo”?
Present multiple versions of masculinityResources should include information for/about men with
various intersecting identities: Queer Men of Color, Men with disabilities, Working-Class Men of Color
Men lack spaces to talk about trauma
Men tend not to talk about the trauma that has been inflicted on them or about the trauma they have inflicted on others. This is generally true for all men, regardless of race
Our framework for “trauma” is typically physical or sexual abuse… we typically don’t count harassment, bullying or teasing
Men of Color especially need this space as their racial identity often intersects with gendered experiences of violence and trauma
BA
RR
IER 2
Men lack spaces to talk about trauma
Impact: Men of Color are processing trauma around gender and
racismSilencing of racist traumaMen of Color don’t get to explore their own issues
Example: Men of Color might not feel safe talking about violence within communities of color while in a majority White space (gender caucus)
BA
RR
IER 2
STR
ATEG
IES
Need to broaden the definition of “trauma” so that experiences around race, ability, class, etc. matter
Name the racialized violence men of color experience or are perceived to experience
Scar Story ActivityHave men tell story of physical scarOpen space for emotional scarsWho has scarred them? Who have they scarred? (What does it feel like to know that you have scarred someone?)
Create spaces for Men of Color to talk about victimization and victimizing
Racism within Institutions and Society
Men of Color are disproportionately depicted and reported as perpetrators of sexual assault and gender violence
Socialization as a White womanExample:
Racism within Victim Advocacy
Men of Color are also convicted at a higher rate
The media portrays Men of Color (specifically Black and Latino men) as hyper-violent
BA
RR
IER 3
Racism within Institutions and Society
Impact:Despite the very low percentage of “false” reports, Men
of Color are socialized to fear being falsely accused of crimes, specifically when involved with White women
Society views and treats men of color with greater suspicion and accountability
Men of Color (or organizations/communities comprised of Men of Color) face additional scrutiny and accountability
BA
RR
IER 3
Racism within Institutions and Society
Example: Chris Brown vs. Charlie Sheen
Example: Recent Today Show episodeExample: Man of Color at CSU Women’s Conference
BA
RR
IER 3
STR
ATEG
IES
Remain committed to honoring and exploring the complexities of identity within this issue.
Speak out against media outlets and challenge anti-violence leaders who fail to recognize how “outrage” is often racialized
Offer multiple options for survivors that include and move beyond the criminal justice system
Community Accountability and Transformative Justice (TJ) movements
We cannot allow men of color to excuse misogynistic behaviors with their racial identity
Consider intersecting identities when discussing issues of accountability
Leadership within anti-violence movements
The perception is that nationwide leaders and men’s organizations are predominantly White (Men can Stop Rape, 1 in 4, etc)
When Men of Color are looked to as leaders, it is typically for a targeted population, community or issue.B
AR
RIE
R 4
Leadership within anti-violence movements
Impact:Lack of nationwide leadership for Men of ColorMen of Color get pigeonholed into addressing certain
issuesMen of Color are stereotyped as not engaged or lacking
interest because they do not show up like White leaders
Examples:Differences around Leadership (CSU Men’s Project)
White men moved from action to self discoveryMen of color moved from self-discovery to action and community development
BA
RR
IER 4
STR
ATEG
IE SRe-examine expectations of what “leadership” and “engagement” look like
Honor that men of color are also facing racism while engaging in anti-violence work
Credibility of a white presenter vs. a presenter of color
Most Men of Color leadership development happens around sports, we need to move away from this
Look to Men of Color for leadership within the anti-violence movement in general
Re-examine leadership within the movement
Loss of Community
Men of Color risk losing their community & becoming isolated when acting as bystanders within their racial/ethnic communities
Especially true for Men of Color in predominately White institutions, colleges, etc.
Impact:Men of Color face additional complexities when
discussing “bystander intervention” strategies
Due to the lack of visible men of color in the movement, men of color risk feeling misunderstood and alienated in the movement AND within their own communities
BA
RR
IER 5
STR
ATEG
IES
Support opportunities for Men of Color to engage in communities of pro-feminist Men of Color
Actively seek out Men of Color leadership conferences and collaborate with them
Create space at Gender-Violence Prevention conferences for Men of Color to meet each other
Actively invite Men of Color to Gender-Violence Prevention conferences
Acknowledge that most bystander models tend to be based on White/“Western” values
Provide opportunities for Men of Color to engage in and create community
Historical Context
Historical impact of social justice movementsSexism within racial justice movement Racism within feminist movement
Most sexual assault/gender violence centers are staffed by White women
Socialized racism from White women and socialized sexism from Men of Color leads to mutual mistrust
BA
RR
IER 6
Historical ContextImpact:
Complexities of intersecting identities in relationships between Men of Color and White women
When doing “gender work”, the assumption is often that “gender” should be the primary lens
Women of Color lack safe spaces because of sexism and racism
BA
RR
IER 6
STR
ATEG
IE SWhite folks dialogue together to name and acknowledge the racism they (and the history of the movement) bring to the table when working with People of Color
Men of Color dialogue together to name and acknowledge the sexism and dominance they bring to the table when working with all women
Recognize the impact that racism and sexism have on Women of Color
Become more personally aware of our own advantaged/dominant and marginalized/subordinated identities
Ask ourselves and our organizations how these identities have an impact on the way we do the work
Engage in accountability dialogues
!?Questions
?Comments?
