AAUW Wisconsin Diversity

Vice President: Barbara Munson
Barb@munson.net

I am passing the role of Diversity Chair of the AAUW-WI State Board on to Jodi Simek from the Eau Claire Branch. I look forward to supporting her vision.

Thanks to all of you for growing the “Doing Diversity” dialogue over the years that I have served. Special thanks to the membership for unanimously passing the resolution of support for the Race-based Logo, Mascot and Nickname Bill at last year’s convention and for all of you who followed up with advocacy throughout the year that led to the enactment of Act 250 of the 2010 Wisconsin Legislature. Please continue to provide educational support to school districts as they negotiate logo and name changes. You can find support materials at http://www.Indianmascots.com.

Again thanks to Cheryl, Marge and Marian for providing me the opportunity to serve.

Osk^n^su,

Barb

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I want to take responsibility for a statement I made during the Diversity Presentation at state convention. I mentioned that when seeking allies who might be in support of Wisconsin Indian Education Association goals, I decided to join AAUW and quipped, “Of course I could have joined the DAR.” I intended to point to the irony of an Oneida Indian woman being eligible for membership and the incredible double bind such a decision would mean. I was referencing my own history not the virtues of DAR membership. My Mother was Scots/English and had relatives on the Mayflower whose progeny later legitimatized her membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution. My Father was an Oneida Indian and became an Episcopal Priest, his ancestors also fought in the Revolutionary War on the side of the rebels. He and Mom met at Lawrence University. Hence the irony and the source of my dilemma. My Mom always wanted me to join the DAR because she enjoyed membership. I could not fulfill my Mother’s wishes because I identified as an Oneida woman and the history of the Revolution is particularly dicey for Oneidas.

The Oneida Indian people are legendary for having given sustenance to George Washington and his starving troops during the winter at Valley Forge. They fought on the side of the Revolutionary troops during the war. For this action they were promised protections of all sorts. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix, October 22, 1784, the third treaty made by the fledgling US Government, was drafted in part to reward this loyalty. Loyalty bought at a huge price to another confederacy – the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois Six Nations, also known as the Haudenushonne or Longhouse People: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora were intermarried through an elaborate extended family network. The Iroquois become embroiled in the conflict between the British and the colonial freedom fighters. For the first time since its founding, the council fires of the Iroquois Confederacy were extinguished. The Haudenushonne people were pitted against one another throughout the Revolutionary War. The damage to their culture was horrendous; taking sides caused unimaginable rifts within families. All the Iroquois nations were reduced to poverty because their fields were salted and the white corn stores (yes the same corn that had sustained Washington and his troops) was destroyed leaving the Haudenushonne people starving and much diminished. As a result of these actions Washington earned the Iroquois’ designation for the President of the United States - “Lanatakalyas.” Lanatakalyas in translation means “the destroyer of towns.” It serves as a reminder that those who sit in the seat of power that is the presidency are capable of great deceit and destruction.

This history is complex, and for myself, I could not join the DAR because of it. Now some might argue – “Get over it, it happened so long ago.” I say that history does matter. The policies of the past had devastating impact and are alive today in biases, privilege and oppression that shapes current situations and gives rise to inequities in the present.

To truly understand people from diverse populations we need to demand accurate and authentic his/her/story and we need to consider multiple cultural perspectives.

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Breaking Down Barriers Between People AAUW- WI ‘Doing Diversity’ Dialogue

On Friday, May 1 the Kick-off event for the 2009 AAUW-WI Convention was a panel of seasoned activists who worked with diverse populations in the Wausau area. Wix Covey, Tom McGrath and Joe Mielczarek shared their stories, their work and their dreams. We then had a facilitated discussion about the participant’s experiences, hopes and dreams and ended with a Circle Chant activity with everyone joining in. Here is some of the wisdom shared by AAUW members and panel in that Diversity Circle.

What are the issues in my community?
Value assumptions are the impediment to getting to know the issues
Cultural blindness puts barriers into meeting people needs
Illiteracy
Lack of visibility
Binge drinking
No voice
The media
Resistance to change
No hope
Fear of the unknown
Consumerism
Government

What is my local AAUW branch doing?
Voter education and registration programs
Too little
Examining human trafficking
Programs on Middle Eastern culture
Examining gender issues
The Great Decision programs
Working with the Girl Scouts on STEM programs
Equal pay discussion
Talking with our legislators
Advocacy
Providing necessities for people in want

Who are my allies locally?
Girl Scouts
Universities
Legislators
Literacy task force league of Women Voters
Colleges
Hmong Women’s Initiative
The Internet

Who is my larger network?
AAUW
Lisa Maatz and her crew
Moms’ Rising
NOW
9 to 5
Free Clinic
Wisconsin Women = Prosperity
MS Magazine
Feminist Majority
Public Health Department
Wisconsin Indian Education Association
Women’s Health Network
First Breath
What are some things we can do to strengthen our work?
More visibility in local community
Letters to the editor
2 Minute Activist
Coalition projects
Leave our comfort zone
Invite other organizations

We left the space contemplating the question:
What is the change I seek in the world?

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A few years back, a small diversity committee devised the “Doing Diversity” initiative for AAUW- Wisconsin. See the Diversity Blog page for a description of the “Doing Diversity” initiative. AAUW members throughout the state are doing this work of building coalitions and dealing with the hard diversity issues impacting our communities. In the process we are creating stronger, more inclusive AAUW Branches and developing healthier communities.

At the 2008 convention, Rose Ann Mason introduced a statewide diversity initiative “Diversity Circles.” If you want to learn more and do more with this program e-mail Rose Ann Mason, roseann.mason@uwp.edu. Many AAUW members are already involved as facilitators, sponsors and circle participants.

We are planning an evening event at the 2009 Convention designed to expand our connections with diverse populations within our state. We are looking for women from a broad spectrum of groups to participate as members of a panel. Please post your recommendations for this panel along with contact information to the Diversity Blog.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED.

We need branch Diversity Chairs and other interested people to help shape this event for the convention and to help bring the “Doing Diversity” initiative to life. If you are interested in serving on the Diversity Committee please contact me at diversity@aauw-wi.org or post to the Diversity Blog.

Osk^n^su Peace to You,

Barb