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ELP Retreat Highlights
ELP Convenes Retreats Focused on Diversity in Spring 2002
By Angela Park
Racism. Sexism. Homophobia. Privilege. Diversity is both an asset and a continuing challenge in U.S. society and in the environmental movement. To begin to peel away the layers of these complex issues - how they affect us in society and as environmentalists, but most importantly as individuals and within ELP - fellows, staff, and board members participated in two optional retreats this spring.
Members of the Class of 2001 at the February diversity retreat in Arizona. |
In February, 21 fellows in the Class of 2001 and two staff convened in Oracle, Arizona, at the COD Ranch. Working with Nelson BaÈz and Associates, fellows and staff shared their experiences of being an outsider as a launching point for discussing the oppression facing many groups and ways to break the cycle of oppression by taking courageous acts, big and small, to stop "isms" in their tracks. They also explored diversity using the lens of personality and the role it plays in conflicts and misunderstanding.
In March, 13 fellows in the Class of 2000, two staff, and one board member met in Ben Lomond, California, at Sequoia Seminar. Guided by facilitators from the Todos Institute, retreat participants discussed privilege, inequities in wealth distribution in U.S. society, and the myth of the American Dream. They participated in race and ethnicity-based caucuses, giving them the opportunity to discuss racism in an intimate setting. Following the caucuses, they were charged with either speaking out or listening to other groups who were asked to voice their perspectives and state what they sought from allies in their struggles.
Participants in the Class of 2000 March diversity retreat.
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No summary can convey the power and impact of these retreats, in large part because the distinctive feature that made both successful was the contributions of individuals who shared personal, sometimes painful, stories and others who opened themselves up with frank honesty regardless of background or experience.
This thought is echoed by one of the fellows, "I have always heard that people join social movements because of people and relationships, not because of the content. I'm more deeply committed to these issues now because of the people I know in ELP."
"Fighting 'isms' is a challenge, takes personal courage and commitment, and is like fighting a big beast with a small rock. I took away from this retreat a strong sense of responsibility to deal with these issues, and some strength," said another fellow.
As ELP continues to promote diversity and awareness in environmental leaders and the broader environmental movement, and makes strides as an organization, we will build from the strength that fellows, board members, and staff have found in one another.
Angela Park is an associate director of the Environmental Leadership Program.
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