Navigating in-group conflicts

This page was created to support activists with navigating in-group conflicts. Conflict has a bad rep, but what comes from conflict can be very insightful. This page is a work in progress that will be added to over time. The information included comes from existing organizer databases and resources by movement thinkers. Included are reflections on why it's important to engage in conflict, and suggestions for navigating it generatively.

Why Engage in Conflict?

“The question is not ‘how do we get rid of conflict?’ The question is ‘how do we approach it?’” -Rick Hanson

To make room for divergent thoughts/ideas	We aren’t always going to agree, and we shouldn’t. Engaging in conflict means inviting many perspectives to share. Woke scientist on instagram says “what if we understood that we don’t need people to think exactly like us and be exactly like us to be WITH us and build with us?”
To develop power with one another, rather than power over.	When power and responsibility are left on their own, conflict is more likely to arise because needs are neglected, people are pushed out etc. Reflecting on power dynamics and privilege as individuals in a group setting helps us to understand conflicts, avoid preventable consequences and encourage generative conflicts.
To direct frustration at targets, not each other
For accountability, rather than punishment
As an opportunity for connection and generating	The root of conflict is often a desire for connection. We can use conflict to hear one another.
Avoiding conflict created more conflict	Avoidance is a common response to conflict. When this happens, we miss an opportunity to improve, and also give the conflict more space to grow and spread.

Creating brave spaces that navigate conflicts generatively

An invitation to Brave Space - Mickey ScottBey Jones

Together we will create brave space 

Because there is no such thing as a “safe space” 

We exist in the real world 

We all carry scars and we have all caused wounds. 

In this space 

We seek to turn down the volume of the outside world. 

We amplify voices that fight to be heard elsewhere, 

We call each other to more truth and love 

We have the right to start somewhere and continue to grow. 

We have the responsibility to examine what we think we know. 

We will not be perfect. 

It will not always be what we wish it to be 

But 

It will be our brave space together, 

And 

We will work on it side by side. 

Care to reduce future harm: a transformative justice approach

What is transformative justice?

“Transformative justice describes a systems approach to identifying root causes of conflict and responding to these as a community – including developing various harm-reduction processes to interpersonal violence within communities at the grassroots level rather than relying on punishment, incarceration, or policing.” -Beyond Survival, edited by Ejeris Dixon and Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha (2020)

Where does transformative justice (TJ) come from?

“TJ was created by and for many of these communities (e.g. Indigenous communities, Black communities, immigrant communities of color, poor and low-income communities, communities of color, people with disabilities, sex workers, queer and trans communities). It is important to remember that many of these people and communities have been practicing TJ in big and small ways for generations–trying to create safety and reduce harm within the dangerous conditions they were and are forced to live in. For example, undocumented immigrant women in domestic violence relationships, disabled people who are being abused by their caretakers and attendants, sex workers who experience sexual assault or abuse, or poor children and youth of color who are surviving child sexual abuse have long been devising ways to reduce harm, stay alive and create safety and healing outside of state systems, whether or not these practices have been explicitly named as “transformative justice.”

We can apply TJ principles to communicating, but it’s important to recognize the origins of TJ are more often than not more intense and challenging than the context of group dynamics where most of us will likely apply this knowledge. If you are dealing with serious harm within your group, see the following wiki page: Notes on accountability from Beyond Survival: Strategies and Stories from the Transformative Justice Movement. 

Calling in vs calling out

When a member takes an action that does not reflect the values of the group or breaks the guidelines of group participation, groups may either a) avoid taking action altogether, b) call the person in, or c) call the person out. 

Calling out is best used to draw attention to harmful behaviours and increase public pressure.

Provide and seek information

Check out this example prep email provided by Blueprints for Change, which demonstrated some of the information that could be helpful to provide pre-meeting to make participants comfortable and prepared. Information to provide/seek to prepare participants include: Context regarding the main agenda items before the meeting. For example, what is the main purpose of the meeting? What are the meeting goals?  Provide items you want participants to review ahead of time so folks can reflect before the meeting.  Input and feedback from all who will be participating to add agenda items and confirm whether the meeting goals address their needs.  Ask participants to share if they will need translation, interpretation, or any other accommodations. Provide at least a few days for participants to inform you about their needs. Mention if you will be recording ahead of time so folks can raise concerns if they have them. Remind people to download needed software and/or sort out their audio in the invite email sent in advance. Ask folks to set up in advance of the call.

Offer a training on how to use the platform

Offer an advance prep meeting to train and support some folks who could use your support to join and engage in the meeting. These slides have some information on how to engage in a zoom meeting that might be helpful. Make the meeting purpose and outcomes explicit for your attendees and help them understand the flow of the meeting.

If you have any suggested revisions or additional resources to share related to the above content, please email them to kenzie@lehub.ca.

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