3. Agenda
Conversation Norms
Basic Definitions
What We’ve Tried and What Happened
Sources of Resistance
Identifying the Value of Affinity Groups
Launching Affinity Groups
Overcoming the Resistance
Strengthening Communities
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
4. Conversation Norms
Speak from the “I” perspective
Disagree without being disagreeable
Seek first to understand before being understood
Criticize ideas, not people
Work from your own learning edge and acknowledge
others may be coming from different places
Demonstrate respect
Be open-minded; seek clarification
Take risks; lean into discomfort
Assume positive regard
Honor the spirit of confidentiality
Remember the right to pass
Ouch!
Share air time
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
5. Basic Definitions
The term affinity group is used as a
bringing together of people who have an
identifier in common, e.g. race, gender,
religion, family status, etc. Affinity groups
are for individuals who identify as members
of the group and can speak to the
experience of being a member of the group
from the “I” perspective.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
6. Basic Definitions
The term alliance group is used as a
bringing together of people who have a
common commitment to an identifier group,
e.g. race, gender, religion, family status,
etc. Alliance groups are for individuals who
identify as members of the group and/or as
people who support and stand in solidarity
with that group.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
7. Basic Definitions
The term interest group is used as a
bringing together of people who want to
learn about, share, and engage in a special
interest, e.g. hobby, skill, topic, etc.
Interest groups are for individuals who want
to gather to teach, learn, and share.
Membership can be fluid and changing.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
8. What We’ve Tried and
What Happened
Please work in groups of 3
or 4. Please introduce
yourselves. Describe
where your school is in the
process of launching or
implementing affinity
groups. What are some of
the success and challenges
you’ve experienced?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
9. Why Affinity Groups Are Great
Safety and Comfort to be
Authentic
Affirmation
Critical Mass
Identity Socialization
Building Resilience
Preparing to Engage
Deeply with Other Groups
Empowerment Toward
Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
10. Why Affinity Groups
Meet Resistance
Unacknowledged Fear
of Assembly
Unacknowledged
Resistance to
Empowerment
Desire to Stay Ignorant
of Issues
Privilege
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
11. Forms of Resistance
• False Parallels
• Inverting the Injustice
• Outright Dismissal
• Minimization
• Righteousness
• Colorblindness
• Jealousy
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
12. Stage 1: Identify the Need
Gather data around the
school’s population
Gather research on the
challenges groups face
Gather research on the
benefit of affinity groups,
explicit conversations
Gather data around need
and desire
CONNECT TO YOUR
MISSION
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
13. Stage 2: Determine Format and
Definitions
Affinity, Alliance, or Interest?
Identities/Identifiers
Timing
Space
Facilitators
Group Goals or Mission
Statements
Curriculum
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
14. Stage 3: Communicate and Invite
Initial Communication from
Head
Communicate the Need, the
What, the How, and the Who
Communicate Definitions,
Goals, and Missions
FAQs
Faculty/Staff,
Parents/Guardians, Students
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
15. Stage 4: Facilitate Groups
Identity Pride
History
Positive Change and
Activism
Opportunities and
Challenges
Strategies for Success
Supporting Each Other
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
16. Stage 5: Wash, Rinse, Repeat
Assess Effectiveness
Make Improvements
Re-Launch Every Year
Utilize Student/Family Voice
United Front
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
17. Possible Affinity Group Curriculum
Culture Share
Celebrations of
Holidays/Events
Identity Exercises
Current Events
Movies
Field Trips
“What Do I Do If…”
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
18. Factors Leading to More Success
Pride > Struggle
Deflection of Blame
Inclusive of Full Spectrum
Who’s in the Room
Youth Driven Curricula
Opportunities to Share
Collective Action
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
19. Factors Leading to Less Success
Lack of Consistency
Lack of Budget
Lack of Curricula
Reinforcement of
Stereotypes
Chauvinism
Adult Agenda
Visitors and Gawkers
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
20. Reflection
Please work in pairs or in
groups of three. What
information was new,
useful, interesting,
worrisome, etc.? What
questions do you have?
What’s missing?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
21. Talking Points for Affinity Groups
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
22. “Affinity Groups” We Already Have
• Gendered Bathrooms
• Faculty Meetings
• Tracked Classes
• Financial Aid Allocation Meetings
• Sports Teams
• Divisions and Grades
• Casts of School Plays
• Faculty/Staff Rooms
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
23. Equality versus Equity
Everybody gets a shirt versus everybody
gets a shirt that fits.
Giving everybody some insulin in
equality. Giving only people who are
diabetic some insulin is equity.
What is “fair”?
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
25. Privilege
“Privilege exists when one group has
something of value that is denied to others
simply because of the groups they belong
to, rather than because of anything they’ve
done or failed to do.”
[as described by Peggy McIntosh and quoted by Allan Johnson]
Privilege is SYSTEMIC. It drives the
systems that dominate our societies.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
26. Situational Advantage
There are prime parking spots and seats
reserved for people with disabilities. People
with disabilities are often first to board
planes and other transportation vehicles.
These advantages are situational and do not
balance out systemic oppression.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
27. Safety versus Comfort
Safety: I feel that, in this space, I can ask questions without
fear of judgment. I can voice my perspective and know that
I will be validated for the fact that that is my truth. Others
may challenge my ideas, but that challenge is in the spirit of
greater shared understanding and growth.
Comfort: I feel that, in this space, my reality will be agreed
with, validated, and unchallenged. I don’t have to explain
myself to be understood, and I don’t have to justify my
perspective, as everyone shares it.
As educators, we are constantly setting up an environment
where students are safe but not always comfortable...
SO THAT THEY CAN LEARN AND GROW.
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
28. Practice Makes…
Less Heart-Attack-Inducing
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
29. Structure
Partner 1 states a form of resistance or
asks a question about affinity groups
Partner 2 responds or answers
Switch
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
30. Large Group Share
What were some:
Ah-ha moments
Great strategies
Heads up
Questions or Concerns
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
31. Resources
Full resources, web links,
downloadable documents, and more can
be found at:
https://sites.google.com/sitesgsprofessionalo
utreach/affinity-group-resource-page
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)
33. Presenter Information
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee
6th Faculty and
Professional Outreach
Seattle Girls’ School
2706 S Jackson Street
Seattle WA 98144
(206) 805-6562
rlee@seattlegirlsschool.org
http://tiny.cc/rosettalee
Rosetta Eun Ryong Lee (http://tiny.cc/rosettalee)