Young People at Workshops
I am usually the only young person at RC workshops that are not specifically for young people.
Everyone was a young person at some point and has distress recordings from being targeted with young people’s oppression. As a result, adults can be confused about young people. They sometimes expect things of us that they wouldn’t expect of other groups targeted by oppression—for example, that it’s okay for us to be the only person from a constituency in a class or workshop.
I have also noticed that adults can be confused about why young people come to workshops. If two of us come, it is mostly about our relationship and our commitment to each other. My regular Co-Counselor and I often decide together if it makes sense for us to go to a webinar or workshop. What makes it possible to go is not the organizer’s e-mails; it’s our relationship.
What have you figured out about this? I would love to hear about it.
Durham, North Carolina, USA
Reprinted from the e-mail discussion list for RC teachers
(Present Time 207, April 2022)