How to be an Ally: Anti-Oppression 101

This is an introductory workshop that engages a wide range of learners in understanding power dynamics, oppression and liberation in a Canadian and global context. The workshop explores the language of social justice, and looks at models for creating more equitable communities. The workshop examines concepts of intersectionality, positionality, privilege and oppression the Canadian cultural, political and historical contexts. participants will explore internalized, interpersonal and institutional oppression and explore their role/identities in relation to others. This workshop uses individual and group activities as well as discussion to apply learnings.

Participants will have access to a plethora of digital and print resources to continue their learning journey beyond the scope of the session. Participants who attend this workshop will have access to free discussions which take place on a monthly basis at CSI Regent Park (next one is March 2)

Speaker: Rania El Mugammar

Rania El Mugammar is a Sudanese Canadian Artist, Arts Educator, Equity and Anti-oppression Educator & Consultant, performer, speaker and published writer. Her work interrogates notions of home, belonging, womxnhood, blackness, migration/exile as they intersect with the identities and places she identities with. Rania is an advocate for womxn’s rights, racial justice/black liberation and youth. Social justice anchors Rania’s work as she is deeply committed to anti-oppressive practices and inclusion. She is the current co-chair of the Outburst Advisory Committee at the Barbara Schlifer Clinic, former curator of D’bi Young’s Watah School “Art(is)t Shaman” Series and a member of the Kandake Performance Collective. Rania is deeply passionate about gender/race justice and organizing locally and globally. She is the editor of SpeakSudan’s youth arts magazine and a contributor to a variety of blogs and publications.

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What is “How to be an Ally”?

As more and more of us confront the fact that the world is not equitable for all, it is crucial for us to understand what our role is in supporting one another and together, figure out the systems and society that work for everybody.

One step that we’re taking at the Centre for Social Innovation is partnering with incredible equity trainers to draw on their lived experiences and professional practice building bridges between communities to share their thoughts on how someone could be their ally. This is followed by a facilitated Q&A discussion in smaller groups.

About the cost and accessibility

The cost was a hard piece for us because we want this to be accessible to everybody, but we also wanted to honour the time of our facilitators and attach fair value to their work and ours. The cost of tickets is still reflecting a discount from both parties, but we’re comfortable with this if it means more people can attend.

If you find the cost prohibitive, we are offering 5 subsidized tickets for each session on a first come, first serve basis. You do not need to a provide an explanation and we trust that these subsidized tickets will go to people who really require them. You can register for subsidized ticket through eventbrite. For other accomodations required to attend the workshop (i.e., tokens, child minding, etc), please email Shilbee (shilbee@socialinnovation.ca).

We’re constantly learning and exploring different ways to live up to our value of creating healthy cultures and we’re always open to feedback!

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Check out more How to be an Ally workshops by clicking here: https://socialinnovation.org/how-to-be-an-ally/

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