On October 18, the joint Multicultural Committee in Chicago, composed of members of MKP Chicago and Women in Circle members, hosted an Isms and Issues workshop. Isms and Issues provides an introduction to the Visions model for understanding all of the "isms" in our society, like racism, sexism, and so many others.

The workshop was well attended, by men and women, including some who flew into town for the event. Having taken the workshop many times in the past in other locations and with participants from all over, this was a chance for me to enjoy seeing the impact on our communities.

This workshop allows our community members to have a common language and understanding of how the isms work and how their own internalized oppression allows many isms to continue unchallenged. Rick Broniec and Henry Thurman, both from Wisconsin, lead the workshop, and Rick's wife Paki and Louise Lovdahl were presenter trainees.

For me, it was important to have both men and women leading the workshop. The workshop participants did some concentrated work on sexism, which had a strong impact on many of the participants. Through the interactions during the workshop, some powerful exchanges took place related to racism and sexism, which often are combined.

For me, as a co-chair of the Chicago Multicultural Committee, this was another step in opening up new avenues for dialogue and interactions. There were several attendees who have not been initiated, and so this was also a chance to connect with people outside our communities.

The Committee is planning some follow up events in 2009, including some additional movie nights, and some other trainings. We are looking at hosting a workshop in development, Agents to Allies, which is intended to help move participants from thought to action in areas related to the isms.

We are looking for suggestions and comments about our activities to date. Please contact me, Leslie Recht, at LRecht@defrees.com, if you would like to work with the Multicultural Committee or have any suggestions.

Leslie Penelope Recht
(WWTW August 1992 Delavan WI)
LRecht@defrees.com