Week 11- Leading With

After reading "Urban Youth Building Community", I have come to agree with the four lessons mapped out after conducting research on three youth projects (PARTY, TNL, and AYPAL)

1. The importance of positionality-  

One way to create change in our society is to understand the potential obstacles, discrimination and oppression that some groups experience over others. Initially, the youth in PARTY, viewed Ms. Nygreen as an authority figure not as an ally. In addition to her being a teacher, she did not share the youth's racial background. She was a white woman who was seen as privileged. In order for her to gain her students trust, she had to walk into that room open minded, vulnerable, and honest. It would have been impossible for her to walk into the room with a teacher's mentality and become an ally. Ms. Nygreen had to admit that she as white woman held certain privileges. Privileges that were masked from her students. But most importantly, she had to acknowledge that her students were being oppressed by the educational system. 

2. The role of adult allies in youth-led projects

If adults are committed to youth-led projects, they must know their place in the organization. Too often than not, adults either inadvertently or deliberately take the power away from the youth. My after school program is housed out of  Roger Williams Middle School. Last year, the school brought back student council. The adults promised to give complete control over to the students. Three months after the student council elections, the administration started vetoing proposed ideas. They took control over the student council and started making decisions without asking the student body what they wanted. It was easy for the administration to say no to proposed ideas because they must adhere to school policy and regulations. 

3. The creation of safe spaces

Some people like to believe that people exist in environments that are open and accepting, unfortunately this is not true for many people, especially for those in oppressed communities. I believe everyone wants to be comfortable within their own environments. To be able to express their thoughts and feelings. Without fear of not being heard. Even something as simple as having a space outside of a school can help to establish a safe space free of authoritative figures. PARTY decided to change their meeting space from a university classroom to the home of one of its members. By changing the venue, youth were able to disregard the oppressive "school-like" environment.

4. The building of trust and relationships

Building trust with youth is crucial if you want to establish meaningful relationships. You must meet them where they are at. Its all about finding a balance. On the one hand, you have to maintain a level of professionalism. But on the other hand, you have to be willing to be vulnerable. If you share certain hobbies, acknowledge that. If you have similar taste in music, share that. If your youth do not trust you, they will be hesitant to allow you in to their lives.