Compassionate Assertiveness

& Conflict Transformation

Liberation and Social Justice begin at home.

 

Have you ever been in a conflict or argument

and later that day thought to yourself,

“Aaargh! I should have said THAT instead!!!”

 

Often when we are in conflict, or in situations where we

experience or perceive a threat, our instinct and our

socialization can have us practicing 'fight', 'flight', 'freeze' or even

'please' responses, particularly when we are coming from trauma.

 

It is useful to notice our physiological reactions because they can escalate the situation or, at the very least may prevent meeting our needs. If we can’t unravel conflict within our communities and interpersonal relationships, we won’t be able to work together to bring liberation to our movements.

 

I want to share with you, my philosophical and skills-based approach to assertiveness and non-violent communication through an intersectional, anti-oppressive, and decolonial lens. 

 

Let's unlock, investigate, and reexamine the wisdom we already store in our organs, muscles, blood, breath and bones.

 

Together, we will practice doing our best to mindfully inhabit our bodies and hearts. We will navigate boundaries and consent practices. We will explore deep listening, and how to face and understand discomfort, anxiety, outrage, and fear. We will embrace the strength inherent in vulnerability, unpack shame, and practice compassion toward ourselves and each other.

 

You will come away from our time together with powerful needs-based self-expression and conflict transformation tools.