By: Edwina Welch

Since the beginning of the quarter, I have seen a disturbing trend concerning how we communicate and “check” each other. For example, some of us may feel triggered and excluded hearing or being addressed as “You Guys”, which is usually meant to address/include everyone, though for some of us, has historical, exclusive, gendered implications. Recent discussions around creating ground rules have posed questions of inclusion, sensitivity, and context. Another example when creating community values: when we figuratively say “Step up, Step back,” a reminder for us to monitor our level of group participation, are we being literally insensitive to able-bodiedness? Are we able to “get it out and clean it up later” where we can make mistakes, learn, and move forward or does being hypercritical get in the way of cultivating community?

Language is powerful and should be critiqued, yet I question, have we moved so far from our initial, well-meaning intentions that we are shutting down communication and growth in learning? I was recently forwarded a set of community guidelines from the Gender Equity Center at Berkeley called Brave Space Guidelines that got me thinking about what an UCSD Alumni called the “Politics of Generosity”. I interpreted these guidelines to mean that we don’t have to agree or like what someone says. We should feel free to check each other to build community, while also acknowledging and making room for mistakes and growth, including our use of language and working knowledge. This has to be at the forefront for true coalition and community building to happen. The guidelines have other information pertaining to the Center and there are kernels of truth that can help each of us be in community with one another. Check out the guidelines; I would love to hear what you think. Drop me a line at ewelch@ucsd.edu. For more information on the Gender Equity Center visit http://geneq.berkeley.edu/community_space.