Facilitated Conversations For Our Community
Oct. 2, 2024
Dear Students,
We remain aware of various tensions that affect us directly or indirectly. Currently, some of these tensions stem from ongoing conflicts in the world as well as the upcoming elections in the United States. Accordingly, we would like to offer opportunities for our Brandeisians to reflect on and process their own responses to these events in a safe, respectful environment where feelings and opinions can be shared across cultural, political, religious, ethnic, national, and racial divides.
Drawing on the principles of Talking Circles as practiced in Indigenous communities, we invite all community members—students, faculty, and staff—to join in one of several facilitated conversations that we will be hosting the week of October 7. These efforts are being coordinated through the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the Ombuds Office, and campus partners.
Talking Circles provide opportunities for community members to come together, share their own feelings, and hear others do the same. Facilitators work to ensure that everyone who wishes to be heard is given the same chance to speak, though participants are also welcome to pass on their turn to talk. These circles can help us process our emotions, identify and evaluate behaviors that may cause harm or distress to others (without the shaming that often accompanies such evaluations), foster compassion and empathy, and serve as first steps in strengthening our community, and acceptance of accountability we all owe each other. We will not be focused on debating or assessing the claims made by one side or the other in the various issues that present themselves.
These sessions are meant to be a place of self-inquiry and deep listening, a time for checking in with one another, sharing stories, learning about relationships and values, encouraging individual and shared goals, and taking responsibility for behaviors and choices. When it is your turn, you have the privilege of speaking; when it is not your turn, you have the privilege of listening.
If you are interested in participating in one of these Talking Circles, please use this registration form to select a session time and to ensure that each circle has a limited number of participants for more sharing. If you prefer to register without sharing your name the registration does allow for that option. Moreover, we encourage you to sign up as these Talking Circles are designed for in-person interactions to allow for more interpersonal connections.
We hope you will consider joining us to feel more connected with others. If you have any questions, please email them to brandeisombuds@brandeis.edu.
Sincerely,
Lee Bitsóí (he/him)
Vice President of the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion