SOCI 2F60 Foundations of Community Engagement
Reflection 6
Positive Space Workshop
On Monday, February 25th I walked to Decew Residence Room 208 at 2pm. This workshop was for the LGBTQ, which stands for Lesbian Gay Bi Trans Two-Spirited Queer Questioning. When I got there, there was a definitions match to see if we knew what certain words meant. Examples of the words were gay, lesbian, bisexual and homophobia. We were then introduced to our two leaders named Marla and Brandon. They then went to talk to us about the words we just read and matched. After everyone understood the true meaning of the words we split into two groups. No one seemed unconfortable. Each group was given statements that were commonly heard - an example was “homosexuality only exists in western society”. These questions started conversations between the larger group, which consisted of nine people. We then did a privilege checklist, which started a large conversation about one of the questions provided. The question was “When my partner is seriously ill, I know I will be admitted to the intensive-care unit to visit her/him without question”. We discussed how it was unfair for people to be questioned or if they lie and state they are their brother/sister so they do not have to go through the questioning. Lastly we split into different groups and were provided with scenarios that could happen to people in the LGBTQ community. These scenarios created a large amount of discussion. As everyone was leaving they gave us pamphlets of information to help us understand more.
By attending this workshop, I learned that it does feel good to help others. One way to help others is to be educated and this workshop helped educate me on the LGBTQ community and how I would be able to inform and help others as well. A reading written by Robert Coles, called The Call of Service: Satisfactions, where Robert follows a man named Dion Diamond who went and did public service for families instead of attending school relates to the workshop. This relates to the workshop because I felt good about myself knowing that I had educated myself and understood how to get others to understand as well. A quote that really relates is when Robert asked Dion why he does this and why he helps people, Dion responded with “The satisfaction, man” (Coles, 2001, p. 343). He further went on to explain it by saying “I’m meeting some really fine people. I’m listening to them tell me a lot about their lives. I’m hearing them stop and think about what they’re willing to do to change this world here in Louisiana” (Coles, 2001, p. 343-4). He later explains that someone to that continues to help has done this because they have a sense of accomplishment (Coles, 2001, p.352). The overall aim of the workshop was to help us and we must now continue to help others. The workshop related to the reading because now I can help others and am ‘satisfied’ like Dion. It is true that there is a sense of accomplishment being able to help and stand up for someone.
I have learned that it pays off to be educated and learn about things we are not so sure about. Understanding gives you the knowledge to help others. When you help others, it creates an overall feeling of satisfaction, which motivates you to come back and help more. When Robert was asked why he came to help the children, he said “… because I have a sense of accomplishment, and I’ve enjoyed being with friends, and I remember the stories I’ve heard, and the jokes” (Coles, 2001, p. 352). This means that not only do you benefit, but also everyone involved in the learning and helping.
I learned this when the workshop was happening, being able to hear other people’s experiences and reactions to situations made me think of what I would do in the situation. I was able to put myself into other peoples’ shoes and learn from it. This made me realize that I too can help others who are not as knowledgeable as me. This is done for moral purpose because you do this for peace. Knowing about the LGBTQ community helps people understand it more, and taking these little steps can really make a difference. As the reading states “...what they are doing is a moral effort and that what they get from their actions is a kind of moral satisfaction or peace…” (Coles, 2001, p. 345).
This learning matters because it informs not only the people who do volunteer work, but also the people who are affected by it. It teaches the people who want to learn and gives them the opportunity to help. “Dion kept telling me what he was trying to do; he kept describing for me the various individuals he was getting to know – the lives he was affecting, even his own life had already been deeply affected”. This is the “pay it forward” method in which you have been helped, and this motivates you to help others in the community.
In light of this learning I take the initiative to make others aware of the LGBTQ community and their ‘personal space’ questions. This will benefit the community and others so they know about it and can also inform others to help them out. This will be beneficial for everyone.
Coles, Robert. (2001). The call of service. In J. S. Ott (Ed.), The Nature of nonprofit Sector (pp. 343-354). Boulder, Colorado: Westview Press.