ANTI-OPPRESSION 101

This introductory level workshop engages a wide range of learners in understanding power dynamics, oppression and liberation in a Canadian and global context. The workshop explores the language of social justice, and looks at models for creating more equitable communities. At this workshop, we will be examining concepts of intersectionality, positionality, privilege and oppression in the Canadian cultural, political and historical contexts. Participants will explore internalized, interpersonal and institutional oppression and explore their role/identities in relation to others. This workshop uses individual and group activities as well as discussion to apply learnings.

Participants will have access to a plethora of digital and print resources to continue their learning journey beyond the scope of the session. Participants who attend this workshop will have access to free discussions which take place on a monthly basis at CSI Regent Park. ​

SHUT IT, UNCLE BOB! SPEAKING TO RACIST FAMILY, FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES

This workshop explores strategies and tactics for addressing racism from loved ones in meaningful and impactful ways. Participants will engage with a variety of scenarios that manifest implicit or overt bias. Common behaviors and tactics for dismissing conversations about race and minimizing the harmful impact of racist behaviors, beliefs and language will be explored. Participants will learn a number of techniques that take into account balancing relationships and creating long term sustained progress and change while understanding the roots of prejudice and tapping into the individual’s capacity for empathy.

DOING THE WORK: ALLYSHIP, ANTI-OPPRESSION & MEANINGFUL INCLUSION IN ACTION

This workshop explores hands on approaches to building equity and meaningful inclusion at the interpersonal and institutional level. This workshop will foster critical thinking about anti-oppression allyship and models of organizing and alternative ways of knowing and being will be explored, critiqued and applied. Furthermore, it will employ multidimensional strategies to transform dynamics of power and privilege. This workshop is ideal for individuals/organizations looking to address inequities at the systemic level, within their team dynamics, and/or their work. Participants should have a strong working knowledge of anti-oppression before engaging with this workshop.

CONTEMPORARY ARTS INSTITUTIONS: ANTI-OPPRESSIVE PRACTICE  MEANINGFUL INCLUSION,  & ALLYSHIP IN ACTION

This is an interactive workshop that engages participants in different places in their equity learning journeys develop new insights and strategies towards learning inclusion and unlearning oppression as it pertains to Canada’s arts and cultural landscape. We will examine historical contexts, personal narratives, power structures and systems that shape inequity in our world as well as how these systems manifest inside our relationship with ourselves, our interpersonal connections, in our work spaces as well as systemic manifestations and barriers. We’ll also take a look at how we heal from traumas of exclusion and inequity and learn tactics for leveraging our privileges to imagine and actualize a meaningfully inclusive organization and on a larger scale, world. Participants will reflect on learnings in the context of the dynamics inside the workspace and in their personal lives. Community stakeholders and artists engaged with the institution will be explored as key points for building inclusion. Participants will explore organizational models for meaningful inclusion, anti-oppression and intersectional anti-racism. Case studies and applications to address inequity in funding, curation, adjudication and arts training will be examined. Participants will reflect on process, policy and practice as means for addressing institutional oppressions. On a larger scale, participants will be invited to explore the role of contemporary arts institutions, initiatives and funders in shaping Canada’s national identity and our understanding of justice beyond representation. ​

BUILDING CONSENT CULTURE

This is a workshop that uses the anti-oppression frame work to understanding rape culture and the mechanisms by which it manifests inside arts and community spaces. Practices and principles for fostering brave spaces and a culture of consent will be explored, along with problematizing existing models and practices. Prevention and responses to disclosure are key principles for this workshop. This session is ideal for artists, organizers and administrators in arts and community spaces across disciplines. The session is deeply rooted in transformative justice practices and a culture of care built on meaningful, survivor centred interventions.

RAISING RACE CONSCIOUS KIDS

This workshop is for parents, guardians and caretakers of children. The session explores strategies for understanding racism and racial prejudice, addressing racial bias, being accountable for problematic behaviour and building a capacity for allyship. Appropriate language and topics of discussion for varying age groups will be examined. The workshop focuses on empathy, understanding and meaningful allyship through intergenerational discourse. Participants will be provided with additional resources and readings beyond the duration of the session.

 STRATEGIC PLANNING: ANTI-OPPRESSIVE FRAMEWORK & PRACTICES  FOR BOARDS &  ADVISORY BODIES 

 This workshops explores practices, strategies and evaluation frameworks to guide boards, leadership teams and advisory bodies towards measurable, goal oriented long term planning with regards to equity, meaningful inclusion and anti-oppressive practices. Community engagement, resource development, talent and consultations are key elements of the workshop. The workshops will also explore themes related to the language and frameworks of anti-oppression, exploring its interpersonal and institutional manifestations. A variety of reflection and planning exercises and tools are interwoven into the session. The workshop uses a variety of teaching styles and tools to engage a variety of learners.

ANTI-BLACKNESS AT THE INTERSECTIONS: EXPLORING & ADDRESSING ANTI- BLACK RACISM IN A CANADIAN CONTEXT 

This session uses the anti-oppressive framework and an intersectional approach to explore anti-Black racism within a Canadian cultural context. Internalized, interpersonal and institutional manifestations of anti-Black racism are contextualized through the lens of intergenerational trauma, systemic barriers and monolithic narratives. The impact of anti-Black racism, as it interacts with other sites of oppression is explored through case studies, personal reflections, quantitative and qualitative data. Systemic power structures and their impact on the spiritual, emotional, physical, financial and mental well being of Black communities as well as profound institutional inequities will be introduced and contextualized. Participants will critique and problematize current models for allyship and community engagement as well as explore interpersonal interventions and systemic transformations that cultivate liberation.

​*Prerequisite: Anti-Oppression 101 OR Anti-Oppression for Artists & Cultural Producers OR working knowledge of Anti-Oppression\Anti-Racism.

DIVESTING FROM WHITE SUPREMACY: UNRAVELING TO REBUILD

This deep-dive, intimate session centres self reflection, locating ourselves and deeply contending with the ways in which we have internalized and invested in white supremacist economic, cultural, social and political ideologies, practices and hierarchies. The workshop explores community accountability practices and models for organizing, as well as ways of knowing and being from the BIPOC margins. Alternative economies, models for justice and ways of teaching, parenting and learning are central themes in the session. This session is ideal for artists, organizers and individuals working on cultivating a strong working knowledge of social justice issues, and who are committed to divesting from white supremacy and decolonizing internally, interpersonally and institutionally.

*Prerequisite: Anti-Oppression 101 OR Anti-Oppression for Artists & Cultural Producers OR working knowledge of Anti-Oppression/Anti-Racism.

JUSTICE AND BIRTHING IN THE MARGINS

Gain an overview of the birthing and pregnancy experiences of marginalized communities, situated within the statistical experiences of BIPOC communities. Explore case studies illustrating the particular vulnerabilities of Indigenous and Black communities. Explore the historical context of birthing within Canada and the US. Develop an understanding of cultural competency and safety as they impact birthing parents and their communities. Explore community based and interpersonal interventions and supports. Situate the politics of the pregnant body, the life of the birthing person and the life of children within an intersectional understanding of social power. ​

ANTI-OPPRESSION 102

This workshop explores the language, theories and practices of anti-oppression in depth. Institutional, community based and organizational strategies for building equity and unlearning oppression are central to the content and objectives of the workshop. Creative, technical and collaborative models for building equity and liberation will be explored. Group activities, case studies and discussion are critical tools which will be applied to aid the learnings of this workshop.

Participants will have access to a plethora of digital and print resources to continue their learning journey beyond the scope of the session. Participants who attend this workshop will have access to free discussions which take place on a monthly basis at CSI Regent Park.

​* Please note that completion of Anti Oppression 101 is a prerequisite for this workshop.

CONFRONTING ISLAMOPHOBIA: INCLUSION & ALLYSHIP

This workshop explores manifestations of Islamophobia in Canadian cultural contexts. Participants will reflect on the intersectional experiences of Muslims in order to foster meaningful inclusion and allyship. The workshop will examine internalized, interpersonal and institutional Islamophobia through exploration of narratives of Islam in a national and global context. Participants will learn helpful strategies for confronting Islamophobic microaggressions/bystander intervention, support community organizing/actions, challenge policy and address harmful legal, institutional, media and cultural practices that foster criminalization and marginalization of Muslim communities across Canada.​

ANTI OH! LIBERATION IN LOVE & LOVE MAKING 

The workshop explores the politics of desirability and power dynamics in intimate and romantic settings. Participants will explore on concepts of emotional and sexual labour and interrogate the gender, age, ability, race and class dynamics that determine the nature of that labour. Equitable relationship building models will be examined, participants will reflect on their learning goals and relationship challenges in order to apply learnings.

BLACK CANADA: RACISM, RESISTANCE & RESILIENCE AT THE INTERSECTIONS

This workshop uses the concepts and framework of anti-oppression to explore anti-Black racism and representations of Black Canada in a Canadian cultural context. Participants will engage with multimedia resources, exercises and discussion to explore strategies for addressing oppressive behaviours such as interpersonal, internalized and institutional racism. Historical contexts will provide a framework, however, the workshop focuses on the present day realities of Blackness in Canada. Black forms of knowing and being will be explored through a community based and artistic lens. 

ANTI-OPPRESSION FOR ARTISTS & CULTURAL PRODUCERS

This workshop for artists explores the language, theories and practices of anti-oppression in depth. Institutional, community based and organizational strategies for building equity and unlearning oppression are central to the content and objectives of the workshop. Creative, technical and collaborative models for building equity and liberation will be explored. Group activities, case studies and discussion are critical tools to apply the learnings of this workshop. Artists will examine the power dynamics that shape access, inclusion and opportunities in Canada’s arts and cultural landscape. The anti-oppression framework will be used to critique institutional dynamics as well as personal artistic practices.  Participants will have access to a plethora of digital and print resources to continue their learning journey beyond the scope of the session.

ISLAM & BLACKNESS: BETWEEN HISTORY & MEMORY

This workshop explores the intersection of Islam and Blackness from a historical and present day perspective. Islamophobia and Anti Black Racism in the lived experience of Black Muslims, as well as Anti-Blackness and in Muslim communities and spaces will be examined. Models for inclusion, resistance and resilience are central to the themes of the workshop. This workshop uses a queer positive, gender affirming, anti-oppressive framework to situate the intersectional experiences of diverse Black Muslims within a larger power structure. Gendered Islamophobia and Islamophobia in non Muslim Black communities will also be explored. 

COURAGEOUS CONVERSATIONS & EMPATHY IN COMMUNICATIONS

This workshops explores engaging in difficult conversations in empathetic, meaningful and impactful ways. The session uses the anti-oppression framework to explore strategies to resolve conflict and build allyship. The session uses World Cafe facilitation methodology through participant led modules as well as facilitator led exercises. Participants will learn skills around initiating a difficult conversation, ending a difficult conversation and moving through conflict and discomfort. Empathy in communications is a core anti-oppression value anchoring this workshop, through an understanding of empathy and its critical role in fostering fruitful discussions, participants will gain applicable skills in conflict resolution and emotional literacy.

TOWARDS LIBERATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO TRANSFORMATIVE JUSTICE PRINCIPLES & PRACTICES

This workshop introduces participants to the core values and principles of transformative justice, centering the most vulnerable members in our communities through a framework of community accountability is at the core of the session. Participants will explore some practical tools for interpersonal and community interventions as well reflections on punitive justice and cultivating a toolkit for collective liberation through self reflection, mutual responsibility and healing. The workshop uses the anti-oppressive framework to explore power dynamics and the socio-political conditions that facilitate and amplify harm.

*Prerequisite: Anti-Oppression 101 OR Anti-Oppression for Artists & Cultural Producers OR working knowledge of Anti-Oppression\Anti-Racism.

RADICAL SELF-CARE & THE WORK OF JUSTICE

This workshop explores sustainable strategies for self reflection, self accountability and interpersonal skills to equip organizers, front line staff and facilitators with the skills necessary to navigate difficult spaces and conversations. Using the anti-oppressive framework, and rooted in an understanding intersectionality as the core practice of liberation, this session explores interpersonal allyship, self teaching and growth as well as collaborative transformative justice practices. The workshop will equip participants with more tools to process the emotional and intellectual labour of organizing for social justice in a myriad of spaces and to transverse the contentious conversations, conflicts and harms stemming from engaging in radical liberation and decolonizing work. Participants will explore a number of principles and practices for community accountability, mediation and self empathy.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION & EMPATHETIC COMMUNICATION 

This workshop focuses on practical applications and understandings of conflict resolution strategies and interventions. The workshop explores empathetic listening, de-escalation and discussion tactics to resolve conflict in a productive way. Contextualizing the session are frameworks and insights into how conflict manifests, why we are socialized to avoid it and how to pivot our understandings of conflict from destructive to constructive. This session is ideal for individuals in leadership, people management, front line/front of house and community relations roles.  

*No prerequisite.

INTRODUCTION TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE: PRACTICE & PRINCIPLE

Using the Anti-oppression framework, this workshop looks at the key components of cultural competency, as well as the individual, collective and systemic practices that create cultural competency and facilitate a deep and intersectional diversity. Participants will develop a capacity to identify and challenge one’s own cultural assumptions, values and beliefs, and to facilitate intercultural understanding and collaboration. The workshop challenges the cultural order, the myth of objectivity and the notion of mere “tolerance”. Situated within the context of intersectionality and liberation as an achievable outcome, the workshop draws connections between the interpersonal and the institutional to support a focused and action oriented approach to work towards cultural competency.

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I have never been so fully satisfied with a facilitators depth of knowledge, kindness and no nonsense space holding. Thank you.

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I really appreciated your straight-forward and compassionate approach. The workshop was very engaging and I think we all came away with very specific things to think about as they relate to anti-Black racism within the organization. I hope that this will result in action and change on these issues that have been identified in the workshop.

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Rania speaks with poise and assertion. I felt empowered, liberated and validated from her teachings, experiences and knowledge. I am proud to be part of her work and a life -long supporter of her mission to educate and inspire those in the community and around the world.  Her expertise, confidence and representation matters- thank you!

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Totally inspired and full of things to meditate on! Just finished a b Current (https://www.facebook.com/bcurrentLIVE/ ) Diversity, Inclusivity, and anti-oppression workshop facilitated by the brilliant Rania El Mugammar (http://www.raniawrites.com ) in preparation for our production of Undercover at Tarragon Theatre, where we will be inviting a member of the audience to join us on stage to play along .... a more elaborate blog-style post to follow, but just had to share with the #yyz community at large! A fantastic thing to include as part of the rehearsal process.

Rebecca Northan  

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Playwright

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Rania is an incredibly engaging facilitator with a knack for making hard conversations feel safe to explore.

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This was a great workshop, and I felt the facilitator was very knowledgeable and engaging  and I am looking forward to the second session. This is such important work.

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Rania is one of the best facilitators I have encountered. She practices (and demonstrates) deep listening and supports and guides groups through and towards empathic conversations, moments of vulnerability, and learning. She does so with incredible care and compassion.

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The workshop was incredibly engaging, thoughtful, honest, and emotional. The anecdotes, self-reflection exercises, and statistics effectively painted a picture of the importance of social justice work on a personal and institutional level. ​

Workshop Participants

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Over the past few weeks, our team in Performing Arts in Brampton have been doing some anti oppression work with Bcurrent PerformingArts and Rania El Mugammar. It has been a powerful and transformative experience for me and my colleagues. A concrete manifestation of the effects of this work are the conversations that we are having internally as we are preparing for Brampton's FIRST City-supported Pride on Sunday, July 8. Many grassroots groups have been in operation for many years in Peel with little to no support from any municipality. So this is a watershed moment for the community and we want to do it right. Our time with Rania has given us a common awareness and a shared language to have really difficult conversations. What has been most awesome about the work with Rania is that it has asked us to tap into a collective wisdom in our group. It has been super proactive and positive. I cannot recommend this enough. Thank you Catherine Hernandez and the folks at b current.

Brendan Healy  ​

Dir. of Arts and Culture

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City of Brampton

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Rania was an incredible facilitator and made the session incredibly comfortable. I really enjoyed how it was more of a conversation than a lecture. The examples used to explain terms were always real life examples from Rania's personal experience or from people she knew which made them very relatable and easy to understand.

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Rania helped us create a platform to have one of the most important dialogues our institution needs to have (and needs to continue to have). She was able to not only succinctly cover and unpack a range of topics, but also able to help us relate them back to our workplace environment and our relationships outside of the workplace. In our session we had a mix of institutional hierarchy: from VP to admin support, which is the first time any of us have been in the room in that setting. It "leveled the playing field", and it was brilliant. The dialogues and discussions, questions and answers and ideas generated in the room were wonderful. I just hope the VP's were listening will make the changes that need to happen... 

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I learned so much from Rania in this workshop and I cannot thank her enough. Her approach, ways of speaking, and explanation of complicated and difficult topics has truly altered the way I will approach my work in the future. 

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