After the connection with nature at the start of this month at Hulme Community Garden Centre, the Greater Manchester System Changers Temporary Stewards, were back at their meeting venue basecamp at the inspiring People’s History Museum. It was time for the monthly in person meet ups. It’s always a fitting venue, and felt even more so today as the stewards delved into the concepts of oppression and exploitation after the usual, and very important check-ins held at every meeting. 

Time for reflection & getting to know each other

The first group activity of the day was split into two parts. Part one was a time for reflection. A drawing activity to get everyone thinking about who they are and what they’re about. A page split into 10 sections: Why do I do my work? Who is my target community? What change do I want to see? What are my favorite flowers? What are the 3 main goals of my practice?  Following this self reflection, people worked in pairs to learn more about each other, and start to develop a poem/statement from their reflections. A way to help introduce the importance of their work. 

Thinking about language

The second part of the activity switched the focus from self reflection, to the reflection on two concepts; oppression and exploitation.  These words were presented to get the room to think about GMSC and what they mean to the Temporary Stewards. How were the words relevant to GMSC and the work being done? To think about the language associated with these words, how it can be used, who sets the dominant narrative?  The stewards were asked ‘what words came to mind when thinking of both oppression and exploitation? 

Following this word-cloud gathering, deeper conversations were had in pairs / groups to discuss the relationship between these two concepts and the work of GMSC.  Everyone then feed back some of their thoughts to the room: 

• Oppression is the system, the explosion is the actions
• Targeting the exploitation can help ease the oppression 
• An oppressed person might find it hard to name their oppressors
• Liberation comes from being oppressed, a reaction
• Exploitation and oppression are relational – some people thrive in oppression (do men benefit from women’s oppression, do white people benefit from Black people’s oppression)
• Narrative change – starts with changing narrative, othering the oppressed (making them feel different to others, not all the same)
• Violence being used as a justification
• Being careful we don’t end up being part of the exploitation and oppression – danger of perpetuating the system. Profits still happening 
• Shock tactics, how these words are framed for marketing purposes 
• Take a breath, self care as part of collective healing, but what models can we use that make that effective and not exploitation

To end the activity, it was back to part one and the drawing. Everyone answered the following on their individual sheets: 

• What does oppression mean in my role as a temporary steward?
• What does exploitation mean in my role as a temporary steward?
• What is the relationship between the two? 

Continuing exploration; it can and will be messy 

After lunch, the temporary stewards came back together as a group to discuss where they’re heading and how this fits with the current timeline.  The discussion got messy, uncomfortable at times. During the uncomfortableness, it focused people. It showed that everyone has a burning sense of social justice, it’s what binds them.  A decision was made to have a one off catch-up for those who can attend before the next meeting. To discuss in more details the current collective vision and mission for GMSC. To work to produce a simpler,  ‘actionable’ version of the current statement. This would then be the focus of June’s meeting. It’s important to note that work is happening at some of the different Island of Sanctuary’s practices, just that everyone needs to ensure they are singing from the same sheet when and where appropriate. 

Check-out

This is such an important part of the meetings, ensuring people leave feeling inspired to carry on their work within their practice / communities. It felt even more important today after the uncomfortable afternoon discussion. People reflected back and it’s important to note as one temporary steward said: 

“I felt uncomfortable, creative disagreement is a new system. It tells me I am in the right room, with the critical thinkers. This room is powerful, we are so empathetic , we are thinking about everyone. A group of creative disruptors is exciting and scary, but I still need that certainty.”

Everyone agreed, this process was always going to be messy, and difficult hard conversations and discussions needed to be had to get it right for GMSC. Change can be hard, but change can also be brilliant and very much needed. Everyone has signed up to this new approach and understands as they move forward it’s bound to be a little bit uncertain at times. As someone said in the room – “it’s the crush that releases the perfume” and that felt like a good metaphor for today’s meeting.  

Written by Sal from Northern Soul

Illustrated by Paolo Feroleto