The Culture of Respect
Our flagship program has changed over one thousand lives since it first ran in 2005. It isn’t a lecture series or a passive experience; it is co-created in real-time by the participants and our team of facilitators.
What’s Included
10 Weeks of peer-led curriculum that explores 7 different systems of oppression
1:3 Facilitator ratio with facilitators that possess the identities you explore
Printable certificate of completion and digital membership badges
Membership in our online community with access to discussion boards and ongoing events
What Does The Journey Look Like?
Each class starts with a discussion in Home Groups. These small groups allow all participants the opportunity to engage in deep, meaningful conversations with diverse voices. Over the 10 weeks, participants will develop close bonds with the other members of their Home Group. For many previous participants, these bonds have turned into lifelong friendships.
These Home Group discussions, along with readings & journaling outside of class and activities with the larger group, provide a framework and shared vocabulary for understanding each week’s system of oppression.
We then break into Affinity Groups, based on shared identities related to that week’s topic. These Affinity Groups create a safe space for participants to have frank, heartfelt, and nuanced conversations about their experiences, their questions, and what they wish other people understood.
All these elements prepare us for a Speak Out, where the participants least impacted by that week's system of oppression have the opportunity to listen, and the participants most impacted have the opportunity to share. This structured format helps participants practice active listening skills and creates the safety needed to be vulnerable. We then return to our Affinity Groups to process that experience in a safe space.
Each exploration typically ends with Ally Work, an opportunity to apply what we learned and express appreciation for the gifts received.
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As individuals, we don’t hold one identity, but many. In this session, we examine our multitude of identities and come to appreciate the diversity within us.
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There are many different systems of oppression, but they all share the same dynamics. In this session, we examine the underlying cycle of oppression and develop the shared language that fosters clear, honest communication on these difficult topics.
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An exploration of how socio-economic class impacts our experiences and identities.
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An exploration of how disability impacts our experiences and identities.
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An exploration of how gender identity impacts our experiences and views.
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An exploration of how religious identity impacts our experiences and views.
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An exploration of how sexual identity impacts our experiences and views.
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An exploration of how race impacts our experiences and identities.
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An exploration of how age impacts our experiences and identities.
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In this closing ritual, participants and facilitators exchange verbal affirmations - statements about what we appreciate and value about each other. Participants also receive written affirmations to remind them of their The Culture of Respect journey.
“This introduction helped our diverse workplace recognize each other's
differences and unique experiences with respect, compassion, and empathy.
Our team seems stronger, and no conversation seems difficult.”
— Jacob P., former organizer