Replying to LO24680 --
Preview:
Various short and supportive comments from the peanut gallery here of my
little corner in the listserve.
Dear Lana and Co-learners,
On Thu, 25 May 2000 16:11:23 -0400 (EDT) Alternative Energy
<ecospirit@mail.com> writes:
> I'd first like to say my own preference would be to call this message
> thread "HOLISTIC WAYS OF LEARNING", Knowing, and Communicating so
> that I
> can keep sight of the fact that what we're discussing is actually
> central
> to the WHOLE picture and not just a side concern or appendage.
Great idea Lana!!!!! or just "ways of learning"...period. Simple!
> Getting back to LO, I guess what I'm trying to say is, I feel we
> spend
> much time on this listserv going into great detail about the systems
> and
> methods, and all that linear or theoretical stuff, of "learning
> organizations". Yet I sense a reluctance to question some of the
> deeper
> root causes of things.
Thank you, thank you Lana for your insight and thoughtful searching.
> But funny
> how
> it's always those who sometimes face or deal with much more social
> burden
> are seen as problematic.
Well said, well said......it's a favorite scapegoat role, to be sure, and
I speak from personal experience of being a scapegoatee!!!!
>> For example, men may feel or say they are not dominating in a certain
> situation, but for many subtle and complex reasons--constructed or
> innate--there will be social mechanisms that may cause a shift in
> power or
> inadvertent domination.
Oh, YES, YES, YES!! It is a complex and very tangible phenomenon.
> Let me say it another way. Men may be socialized or the masculine
> drive
> (which I believe is present in all people) may be biologically
> programmed
> to be assertive, dynamic, and competitive. Is the male person then
> being
> dominating or just being true to himself? That's a very 'fine line'
> to
> explore. Power relations and dynamics are constantly being
> navigated. To
> never choose to dominate may seem true from your personal
> perspective, but
> is the playing field a level one?
Great inquiry!!!!! I really think this is something worth exploring
culturally and on this listserve.
> And perhaps there are different
> social
> contexts or mechanisms that can actively or passively contribute to
> unequal power relations and privilege, thus creating involuntary
> domination. This happens all the time, I believe. Until we explore,
> learn,
> and understand these deeper issues, then what I personally perceive
> to be
> the overall goal of learning organizations or communities remains an
> elusory vision.
I agree!!!!!!
>Thus, for example, I
> sense that
> more community-oriented people and cultures (eg, East or South) need
> to
> find empowerment in individualism and hence allow "freedom of
> choice", as
> you say. And individualistic-oriented people and cultures (West or
> North)
> need to conversely rediscover their relationships to a larger
> community or
> system(s). I also agree that freedom (also autonomy, democracy) is
> the
> path to wholly empowering and encompassing differences and
> diversity--YET,
> we all walk different paths to get there.
YES, it seems to me that balance is helpful in culture and meaning
making.
And, fabulous reads, all of the books you mentioned. I use various of
these with my students/and/or clients.
>
> We need to create and facilitate an open, safe,
> inclusive
> forum, in order to be less antagonistic, yet also allow space for the
> unhealing to unfold itself. Sometimes in order to express my truth
> against what feels like a pervasive status quo, I don't come across
> very
> well. I am aggressive and domineering. Perhaps then I should
> recognize
> that LO is a largely intellectual forum and therefore not much room
> to be
> able to strive towards wholeness and feel safe in doing so.
>
Such a challenge, and a dilemna, yes? challenging status quo is difficult
to do without making a mess. Comes with the territory, it seems.
> I feel the social, linguistic, and cultural diversity and all their
> corresponding challenges within LO all help to make this list so
> interesting and engaging!
I'm right there with you Lana.
> BTW, a book on Creating Learning Communities is soon to be released
> and it
> was created entirely ONLINE! The authors have never met each other
> and it
> has collectively been brought into being. It is a listserv much like
> this
> one.
WOW!!!! Ther's an idea worth considering!!!!!! And thanks also for the
following:
> This was managed mostly through two listservs at Egroups: 1)
> Cooperative Community Life-Long Learning Centers, and 2) Learning
> Communities.
>
> Check out the book!
>
> http://www.futureworld.dk/ccl-llc/book.htm
lana, it may indeed be helpful to do this, and I appreciate such
thoughtfulness:
(>Perhaps
> we
> need to) clarify these basic things so we can orient ourselves
> appropriately. It may perhaps modify some of the concerns that
> others have
> mentioned before on LO. Maybe we need to dialogue
> about where we would like to head or be able to create avenues to
> constructive action, beyond discussion.
I wonder Lana if we aren't already doing this, albeit informally?
orange sun setting in a blue sky,
sajeela
Sajeela Moskowitz Ramsey, President - CORE Consulting
Center for Organizational Renewal and Effectiveness
2432 Villanova Drive/Vienna, VA. 22180
703 573 7050/ SajeelaCore @Juno.com
--Sajeela M ramsey <sajeelacore@juno.com>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <Richard@Karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>
"Learning-org" and the format of our message identifiers (LO1234, etc.) are trademarks of Richard Karash.