Dear Rhea,

Thank you for your response, and for sharing the article you did. I am particularly struck by this line:

"I don’t know who decided that being professional was loosely defined as being divorced of total humanity, but whoever did they’ve aided, unintentionally maybe, in a unique form of suffocation.”

I think this is so important to name, as there can be a level of elitism, assumed moral superiority, and suppression of our very real human responses to pain and trauma under the guise of professionalism. While I definitely agree that CALM-MO can offer a tool in such moments to sit with a level of composure and good will through another work meeting, check off tasks on an ever-growing to-do list, or show up as if the world isn’t currently completely being turned on its head (by a pandemic, the potential fall of democracies, and protests that are waking up many to the structural and systemic racism imbedded in most of our work places and fields of study). I do wonder about times when it would be efficacious to CALM-MO our way through some very tough and needed conversations that perhaps we have become accustomed to pushing aside for the sake of professionalism or “keeping the peace.”

The fact that we are all likely digesting this time in very different ways and with very different aspects of our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self on the line, is something worth really pausing and considering. I haven’t been in many spaces that have acknowledged the very real emotional burden and toll this time (and many before it) are likely having on Black Americans and other POC. And I think it takes immense courage to name it, Rhea.

It would be great to explore with voices from this list thoughts and action steps to meet the "moment of the hour” so to speak. Conversations about race can quickly become polarizing or political, and I know people have spoken to that here in different ways, yet, and in light of concepts like CALM-MO and Bildung (thank you Gregg and Lene!), I would love to learn with and alongside voices from this community about how to best become and stay informed in a way that doesn’t add to the polarization, but works towards the type of change/evolution/healing that I can imagine has been inspirational to many of us at some point.

If it doesn’t feel comfortable to write back to the whole list serve with your thoughts, I also really welcome them in direct message or smaller group conversations. I have valued and learned so much from voices who share here, especially when there is constructive challenge and critique that emerges!

I unfortunately missed the WII Thrive meeting yesterday, so I know this might have already been topics that were discussed or brought up. I would love to read other resources that this community is finding helpful and aligned for really understanding where we are, how/why we got here, and where we go from here collectively…

Thanks and grateful for an intellectually friendly enough space here to even write such emails. That is actually not to be taken for granted,

Kacey


On Jun 9, 2020, at 12:55 PM, Rhea Nesbitt <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

Thanks for sharing Kacey! I have an article below that has been shared in my closest circles and has been elevated to the heads of many agencies, companies,etc. as they prepared statements to the public on recent events. Although it may not be as directly helpful filled with tips and conflict-neutralizing techniques, I do think it is worthwhile to understand one particular perspective that may resonate with many.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40shenequagolding_maintaining-2Dprofessionalism-2Din-2Dthe-2Dage-2Dof-2Dblack-2Ddeath-2Dis-2Da-2Dlot-2D5eaec5e17585&d=DwIGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tb2-kr5GxH1_5jjMROd2jRmFGiRwelS0l9wfWujh-sQ&s=Pu_ObX2TIqri2E6bqvZOdWXcV-Y-VzX54oYcyrOrIPA&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40shenequagolding_maintaining-2Dprofessionalism-2Din-2Dthe-2Dage-2Dof-2Dblack-2Ddeath-2Dis-2Da-2Dlot-2D5eaec5e17585&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=Lb81popbBhwJVJHqL8g7-UjUajgc6wsrGPnb19iX7rM&s=bUtMCAYRW9mfdNZzOvkahFwWPyzTa-zfSJ21Y6NoNOQ&e=>

Again, I shy away from claiming that the article represents ALL as a singular black voice but it may lend the words to inspire curiosity, acceptance, loving compassion and motivation (CALM) when engaging in intentional or unintentional high stakes conversations. The MO can only serve to be challenged, recalibrated, outfitted, and finessed to encounter a wealth of scenarios, people and communities.

That’s my two cents, for what it’s worth.

Take care,
Rhea

On Jun 9, 2020, at 2:17 PM, Wilson, Katherine Christine - wilso3kc <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:

 Dear ToK society,

I found this to be a helpful article on receiving feedback, both in general, and during these trying times.

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40brookeanderson_10-2Dtips-2Don-2Dreceiving-2Dcritical-2Dfeedback-2Da-2Dguide-2Dfor-2Dactivists-2De51689c59d81&d=DwIGaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=tb2-kr5GxH1_5jjMROd2jRmFGiRwelS0l9wfWujh-sQ&s=ZKXxQR1gZd_s75XW4jC-5dat79-KQPyj-kbJKyQgFlg&e= <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__medium.com_-40brookeanderson_10-2Dtips-2Don-2Dreceiving-2Dcritical-2Dfeedback-2Da-2Dguide-2Dfor-2Dactivists-2De51689c59d81&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=Lb81popbBhwJVJHqL8g7-UjUajgc6wsrGPnb19iX7rM&s=Tp8S6VzwhoDf0FM-0gsi6RH9mtrpROF31ZfigTwPi1Q&e=>

I am open and curious to hear any thoughts others may have both around giving and receiving feedback and around creating systems of consultation and collaboration at this time.

Kacey


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