Playing For Liberation: Tools That Prepare & Sustain Us
Many years ago I met a meditation teacher/nutritionist/improv artist who shared my love of games. Parlor games, board games, crafty games, running around games, word games. I mentioned that for me, there's nothing like the feeling of joy, exhilaration, and embodiment I experience when I play. She explained, "Games hold our attention. When we play them, we give them our singular focus, like in meditation. The benefits are the same."
I've carried this understanding with me into my social justice work. Those of you who've taken a workshop or participated in one of my caucuses know that I like to start with a round where we each share something about ourselves: what's your favorite playground contraption, what's something you've always wanted to learn, what's something you're really good at that most people don't know? What emerges is idiosyncratic language, cherished memories, nuanced descriptions, dreamy expressions: this to me is all play, and it's powerful. We're regulating our nervous systems, settling into more open selves, and connecting as humans—humanizing our work, our meetings, our efforts. That is social justice work.
These moments are liberatory in nature, which is crucial for us to experience as we wrench ourselves away from the holds of our oppressive culture. They're also useful in preparing us for known challenges or long-haul efforts. The way I see it, play includes anything that helps us arrive, settle, and apply that singular focus: exercise, song, listening to spring birds, knitting, a serious conversation. All of it helps us stay present, stay creative, and keep going.
Last year, I sought out a coach or mentor for my antiracism/antioppression work, and was thrilled to be pointed to Leticia Nieto. I had long admired her work, enjoyed her key notes, and her clarity. Imagine my delight when she began suggesting playful elements in our sessions: a role play, an embodied exploration, sensory imaginings. I often came to sessions feeling fatigued, doubtful, or constrained; after these activities I'd invariably leave feeling clear-headed, sometimes energized, sometimes calm, always open-hearted.
Eventually, we found our way into our mutual appreciation of play and its role in liberatory work...which led to the workshop we're offering on Sunday March 23: Playing for Liberation: Tools That Prepare & Sustain Us.
Here's a clip of us chatting about it:
I see this workshop is relevant to pretty much…everyone.
Facilitators, educators, people in leadership roles: you'll find tools and modeling to take back to your own endeavors.
Activists, organizers, social justice enthusiasts: you'll be in community, and will experience some activities to fortify and sustain you in your efforts.
Anyone who appreciates play: you'll have fun in that way that serious play can bring.
There's a lot going on in our worlds right now that's heartbreaking, that warrants our efforts toward repair and amelioration. Come fortify yourself: the road is long, the effort is worthwhile, the company is good.
March 2024 Back to Blog Home
I offer coaching for individuals, groups & workplaces.