The Equity That Circles Offer

I'm in the middle of a 4-week spread where I've either convened, co-facilitated or participated in 7 different 'circles'. This makes me so happy. The heart of the process is simple: people convene around a topic, question or experience and share one at a time around the circle. I find this way of communicating, sharing, and being with other people liberatory. 

Circles remind of me of the freedom and carefreeness of summer camp. We moved a lot when I was a kid; summer camp provided me both belonging and community. So much time sitting around in circles...playing cards, bonding, singing, teasing, watching a fire.

As a way to bust traditional power structures, circles are brilliant. Obvious hierarchy recedes when everyone faces each other, seeing each other eye to eye, all at the same level. The subtle power imbalances we bring with us (we can't help it; they're culturally ingrained) become more evident, able to be addressed.

Circles are a tool I use to practice and teach equity: how to listen to each person speaking in their turn, noticing what gets in the way of me hearing them; how to speak without pre-planning or perfectionism; relinquishing the fantasy of control that so many of us educators (and plenty of others) think we might have. 

March 2022 Back to Blog Home

I’m available to guest facilitate circles for private or work groups. Contact me.