Don't worry, there's not some forgotten or secret series we haven't revealed yet. This blog post gives you a quick overview of all three series to get the full picture.
Short recap: brave spaces are physical and/or online spaces where people come together to share their opinions and personal experiences with one another and learn from them. This happens in a mutual, respectful manner where everyone is mindful of each other and hold themselves accountable for their own words. Mistakes make us human and that's okay. In brave spaces, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities.
And remember, brave spaces shift, change and evolve. They aren't static because they exist thanks to the people who create them and keep them alive. It's a verb, something you do.
1. Be AWARE
Analyse your source of information
Be aware of the bias around you (news outlets, TV programs, colleagues, family members, friends,...) when it comes to conversation about LGBTQIA+, racism or other societal issues before using them in this space.
Work to recognize your privileges
Use this space to recognize and investigate your privileges (for example: race, class, gender, sexual orientation, ability). Honour the different experiences we all bring to this space.
Acknowledge your unawareness
You can't know everything, and that's okay. No one possesses all the knowledge in the world. Therefore, sometimes it is better to listen to the other person with an open mind without prejudice.
Read to expand your knowledge
You can't know everything but take accountability for your own learning.
Embrace the moment
Be present, notice and name group dynamics in the moment. We are all responsible for this space. Be aware of how others are responding or not responding. Ask for a “time out” or dialogue if needed.
2. Talk the TALK
Think before talking
Give everyone, including yourself, time to think about a response or a question before talking and ask yourself if sharing your thoughts will contribute to the conversation in a positive way. Raise your hand and wait for your turn.
Ask if you don’t understand
Vulnerability is defined as-uncertainty risk and emotional exposure. Brene Brown even states that “vulnerability is the birthplace of innovation, creativity, learning, accountability...” If we all give ourselves permission to be vulnerable in this space, we are making a conscious effort to create space for deeper engagement both with ourselves and with each other.
Listening to understand instead of listening to respond
Our lens is influenced by our own lived experiences. We must listen to the truth as other people experience it and acknowledge their experience as the truth. We don’t need to take on the other person’s perspective, but we must become curious about it and seek to understand what they see and why they see it that way.
Keep it professional
By being open to the possibility that our thoughts might be limited.
By not taking critique as a personal attack.
By seeing critiques as a way to expand our way of thinking.
By questioning and being open to questioning.
3. SLAY the runway
Speak from a place of love and respect
Nothing more, nothing less.
Lean into fear
When faced with fear we are standing on the learning edge poised to discover something new about ourselves or others. Step out and take a risk to experience and offer something that might be different for the purpose of creating a learning opportunity or a teachable moment.
Assume everyone in this space has good intentions
Checking our intentions helps us set boundaries and be accountable for our words and actions.
Yield success
What is said here, stays here. What is learned here, leaves here.
What now?
Those were all three sets summarized! Don't view this as the all-encompassing guide set in stone. View it as a guide with tools you can use and adapt depending on the situation. Hopefully, these tips and tricks can help you to be brave and create brave spaces wherever you go! For yourself and for others!