Repaired Nations’ Public Statement Regarding Learning Pains
December 1st, 2023
Since 2017, Repaired Nations has been working to build a Pan African solidarity economy where all Diasporans can thrive. One that does away with extractive capitalist tendencies we've learned living in oppressive systems. We've worked to live in our values, acting in ways that do away with the single-use, throw away culture we've unfortunately become accustomed to.
To be transparent, Repaired Nations has not always been successful in creating spaces where everyone in the Diaspora feels an inclusive, safe environment that they need to be involved, and ultimately thrive alongside us.
Recently, during our trip to Ghana, we had to confront allegatory issues related to sexual violence that happened months before we left for the Continent. We sprang into action once we all learned of the harm felt on the ground in Ghana; unfortunately one person's attempts at informal mediation didn't connect and wasn't successful in advance of the trip. Staff & contractors had multiple 1-on-1s with the aggrieved person who sought resolution for their significant other. These conversations led to the gathering of an elders circle of trip attendees, an all attendees circle, & a final smaller circle; all with the goal of helping to find healing and resolution. By no means were we perfect, however we believed that leaning in to support, rather than ignoring and marginalizing, was the way to navigate turbulent and unfamiliar waters. In our imperfection, we left things undone and harm was left unresolved. We commend all sides for showing up with courage, and the abundance of love displayed and sent out in our quest for resolution and healing.
A few years ago, conference committee members let us know that we need to do a better job at being inclusive; that we need to take bigger steps toward creating a safe environment for the Black LGTB+ community. Admittedly, we tried to focus on purpose without getting stuck on identity. However, we understand now that space and safety has to be created for those feeling harmed by the way Black communities typically interface with them. It's still a work in progress, yet we push forward in our efforts to create spaces of respect and inclusion for LGBTQ +members. Our staff tried informal mediation in the moment, conversing with the people who identify as LBGTQ+. Since, staff been utilizing coaching to identify personal blind spots, in an effort for us to continue leading the organization and our members forward toward unity.
Valuable lessons have been learned since our inception, December 2017. Our values have been tweaked so that we remember to always, and invite others, to lead with respect as diverse communities are brought together toward the ultimate goal of liberation and economic cooperation within the Diaspora. We understand that respect for others must come first, or we will never collectively reach this goal. No matter if one is LGBTQ+, Hebrew, Kemetic, Christian, Muslim, etc., without respect for others we do ourselves and our mission a disservice.
With the recent trip to Ghana, we've understood deeply the harm that slavery has perpetrated on our community and how there is a high potential for hurt people to hurt other people. Sexual violence has been a huge unspoken topic that afflict the Diaspora, and we seek to do our part toward moving us all toward healing resolution. Repaired Nations will be deeping our committment by going beyond state-mandated anti-sexual harassment trainings for staff. We will mandate that all project members have completed the required trainings at their respective employers or enterprises; and we will invite any in need to attend the trainings we schedule for staff. We are in the midst of sponsoring a bi-annual men's circle where this community of Brothers can intergenerationally address our parts in perpetuating sexual harm. Lastly, Repaired Nations acknowledges that as an organization, we've been trained to provide education, networking and technical assistance, but we have a ways to go before we can adequately address conflict mediation. Repaired Nations does not have a specialty in Mediation or Conflict Resolution facilitation, thus situations requiring these types of special skills will have to be engaged outside of Repaired Nations and we will refer out these services as we are able.
In Gratitude,
Gregory Jackson
Lead Steward, Co-Founder
