Being an Ally

So it's been a while since I have written on here... but definitely not for lack of things to write about. And really, no one should be surprised that I'm not a regular and faithful blogger.

Two weekends ago was whirlwind of emotions: my Universal friends are leaving.... the [semester students] are coming! the [semester students] are coming! ... first "break" weekend from MdA... lots of things happening.

I left MdA on Friday night and spent my last night with my friends from Universal. On Saturday the first group of girls got here, 4 swk girls from St. Olaf and one of the MG (Migration and Globalization) students. We spent Sunday exploring Cuernavaca a little and soon after we got back EVERYONE arrived! Wow... can you say craziness?! It was a whirlwind... the week before definitely had a "the freshman are coming" feel... of those of you who know what that means :) Monday and Tuesday we were out at the Hacienda Santa Cruz de Vista Alegre (we had some Ecuador-ish connections there). It was orientation/retreat thing... we spent most of our time learning about what it means to be an "Ally." What is an ally? It is something that has many definitions and varieties, but more or less it is someone who "stands with oppressed communities and works toward blurring the lines of who is in and who is out of the so called 'traditional' categories." We talked about not making assumptions/"climbing the ladder of inference,"  being aware of the privileges we have (being white, straight, American, wealthy...) and how we choose to use those privileges... Here at CEMAL they are very conscious (and make every effort to help us do the same) about these things... We played random games and used several different discussion formats (including the fishbowl) to talk about being an Ally. It got a little long at times, but it was definitely and interesting and worthwhile day. It is so important to be aware of the affect you have on others and how to use the privileges you have for good instead of perpetuating discrimination. Being white in Mexico definitely puts a person in a higher position, and gives them certain privileges. It's something you can't escape to some extend... but definitely something you can choose how you use it. For example many of the clubs here are super racist or super discriminatory against the GLBTQ... and choosing to frequent or avoid those  places is choosing to support or not support those practices...

I don't know if it was a direct effect of learning about ally's but since being back at MdA, I have definitely used the Ally theory... As with all little kids (probably even more so when 50-ish live together) there are some that just chose to be naughty/defiant frequently... which is super frustrating and exhausting... especially if you are trying to bathe them. Defiant child that has no desire to take a bath + a bath full of water = water everywhere! That gets old real fast! However, if you change the relationship to friendship instead of authority relationship... you can play and get them to do things because they are your friend... For example with one of my boys, he is the oldest one in the baby house... we established a friendship relationship earlier in the day... basically I just asked him if he wanted to be my friend... so when it came to be bath time and my turn to bathe them... I was able to "use the friendship card" and get him to cooperate with me... and because he was choosing to be cooperative, I let him help me and poor the water over himself... and everything went smoother than ever. Genius. Everyone should use this ally theory...  : )   But really, if we chose to build relationships with people, instead of making assumptions, using our power/privileges in positive ways, the world would be a better place. Sounds cheesy, but I honestly believe it to be true.

So yeah things are going well : ) We have a long weekend this weekend (and its my weekend off) because Friday is a holiday celebrating the Constitution... pretty much everyone is traveling this weekend... I think I might join the group going to Acapulco. I'm not sure how badly I want to travel... I kind of just want to chill... but I guess I can do that on a beach in Acapulco just as well as here. :)