So I put together this plan of a digital lesson, maybe with a recorded voice over, for a couple to do at home. Its an extension of the previous sex ed for parents workshop using art and artists as starting points but is used at home with partners, something everyone at the workshops said they would be into.
I was really pleased with the plan once I got it together but then after the Beyond Equality online stuff I had already begun thinking about ditching this idea, or rather putting a pin in it for a later date for a few reasons. One is that I have been trying to follow the train of thoughts or ideas that I wouldn’t be doing anyway, outside of the course, things that would have been a natural projection of my work pre-maai. This is to make sure I keep challenging myself and going downtime routes that are new and unfamiliar and as a result of what I am learning on maai.
I’ve been thinking about some of the conversations I’ve had recently about the effectiveness and/or importance of sessions where essentially talking is the ‘the work’ and you make the change in the world one conversation at a time. Beyond Equality are doing amazing and vital work in this area and helping to equip not just young people and kids but the people in their lives, like educators and parents, to have those important conversations. But I also know from previous experience and then from further research on this journey that some people not only don’t want to open their minds to these things but actively mute the conversation or themselves within it. The flex of power that is the ability or position to just not talk about something that has weighed in my mind a lot recently too.
Theres been some debate in class about whether talking to people really changes their minds about anything and I oscillate between thinking it’s the only way and not a great way all the time. I know its model that works and equally there are lots of great organisations and charities working in these areas very successfully, although perhaps somewhat under the radar at times, but I makes me think this is an area I don’t need to pursue heavily. I’ve reached out to some charities and would like collaborate if possible but I’m not looking to piggy back on what they are doing too much, they have more skills and experience in this area and I’m not exactly sure of what I can bring to the table here that really makes a massive difference.
I’ve been thinking a lot about workshops and resources and what I really mean by those and what I think the outcomes might be. The digital lesson was partly in response to the stakeholders wanting something that works at home but also a way of thinking about future proofing ideas. Covid restrictions combined with the run up to xmas being soo busy and actually having some issues finding the right venue for a parents based workshop also all make me think I need to let go of this idea for now. I’m getting stuck into a pattern of thinking that is the way to talk to people because it’s been so successful in the past, but I am trying to open up my mind to other ideas and I think actually the new Golden Bough project is helping me put this into perspective a little.