Why this page...
Welcome!
*** EDIT****
In response to requests from the Community, I have been asked to make it a more PROMINENT point on the blog that I do not consider myself an impartial person doing this work. I have had a intimate relationship with current Recess organizers, as well as, past Recess organizers. And, I have been working closely with Recess these last 3 months. And, have been impacted by those friendships. I stated so in the original message on the blog - which is below in its original form. But, some have felt that I have not fairly disclosed that information. So, I am stating it here. ***
***Another EDIT ***
There has been some assumptions made that I am conducting an accountability process for Recess. This is not what I intended or what I am doing. Please, read the second to last paragraph in its original form below.
***End Edits***
Here's where you can stay connected with work happening with in Recess Productions in response to the ongoing conflict happening in the Recess Organizer Team and in the Recess community. I am providing this information as a resource to the community, in collaboration with Justin Riley and Recess. My hope is to offer support, conversation and transparency to the community about what is happening with in Recess.
I am a radical femme queer anarchist and activist, a Recess community member and dancer, and have been working for over 20 years in radical communities - which includes experience with restorative justice, community accountability, designing reconciliation processes, facilitation, mediation and conflict resolution. I certainly had a mix of feelings, ideas, concerns, hopes and lots of questions as I watched everything unfolding online. Your arrival to this blog suggests that maybe you share similar concerns, questions and investment in what happens next for Recess.
I offered my support to Recess Productions in May, after having conversations with Justin about the rift in the organizer team and the situation Recess is facing. I realized that I had experience, and perspective, that could help bridge the gap between the organizers that remain and the community with respect to those who left and those who were airing concerns online. I also was moved to support out of care for Justin, Ely and David. I volunteered to assist with the conversations happening at the upcoming campout and to continue being a part of the process of reconciliation with the community after. I am motivated to help because of my deep care for so many of the people involved and my commitment to developing community resiliency. I know Ely and David from when I lived in Olympia, WA. I consider them both friends. And, have had friendships, romantic and sexual relationships with folks who have been and/or are part of Recess. Justin and I have a connection because of our political ideologies. I feel a kinship and care for him and the work he is trying to do. I know that I can not, and will not, be able to claim that I am an unbiased 3rd party. But, my hope is that my voice can provide advocacy, respect, reverence and inclusion to those voices who are otherwise not participating in the current reconciliation process.
I will be supporting the remaining Recess organizers at the next few events as an observer, consultant and crew member. I am working directly with Justin and the rest of the Recess team to look at concerns raised by the organizers who left, as well as, concerns voiced online.
My roles are: to transfer information from inside the team to the community; to consult with Justin and the crew at Recess events and in development of next-steps; to help the community engage in dialogue in healthy and respectful ways; and to be someone outside the current organizer team to receive feedback and concerns. I offer my experience in service all of you and in deep commitment my personal anarchist, feminist values and ethics around restorative justice in radical communities. And, I offer my experience in service to Justin, Ely, David and Recess.
I am available to talk with you about the work done at The Recess Campout, about what is currently happening within Recess organizationally, and how I am personally helping Recess be in integrity to type of values that myself, the community, and Justin, Ely, and David themselves hold. I am NOT offering myself as someone to field questions on behalf of Recess, to defend Recess, nor to convince anyone to change their minds about what they think and feel. I am not offering to be the judge or the jury on any of these issues. I am offering myself as someone who can offer tools, facilitation and perspective - to provide clarity and transparency about this process. My Contact information is below if you would like to reach out to me.
Sincerely,
Erin