multicultural schools

[Rhett Hudson/Chris Weaver]

Dear Nuran,

Thank you for sharing this dialogue between you and Christina.  I find it
most interesting and important.

I have worked in many schools in the USA where the staff has focused its
attention on issues of culture.

My thought, which you are welcome to share as you wish, is about the
possibility of holding a story-telling circle on the evening before an Open
Space event such as Christina is considering.

I agree with you that the presence of people from minority groups at this
event would be very important.  I also agree with you that the theme or
question for the event should not be an "either-or"...perhaps "Opportunities
for schools that serve a diverse society"...something that looks forward;

but if your Open Space looks forward, it is powerful to take the time to
look at the present and the past first.  A storytelling circle can open
people's minds and hearts before an open space event, like working the soil
before planting a garden.

Birgitt Williams uses a process where the participants gather in a circle,
and there is a bowl of stones in the center.  She invites each person to
take a stone, hold it, and think about "what the stone is telling you about
this organization (or about "schools in a multicultural society").  Then she
asks each person to find one other person, and tell them that story.  After
a while, the circle reconvenes, and anyone is invited to come to the center
of the circle, pick up the microphone or talking stick (Birgitt uses her
temple bells), and tell their story to the group.

Another way would be simply to present a theme to the group before they pair
up - "Think of an experience of multiculturalism which has opened your eyes.
Find another person and tell them that story."

My experience agrees with you, Nuran, that opening to diversity in any
organization or society elicits fear and a sense of loss and grieving about
what has been before.  It is easy to become stuck in fear or somewhere in
the grief cycle.  The storytelling circle can reveal the life, heart, and
power in diversity, and make the process of letting-go of fear much easier.
This can prepare a group for productive collaboration in Open Space.

I thank you again for your contributions.  The OSLIST is blessed by these
strong voices arising from the OSonOS in Berlin.

Chris Weaver

Springbranch Facilitation
P.O. Box 8234
Asheville, North Carolina 28814
USA
828 225 0007

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