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Presentations
Advocating for a Paradigm Shift
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Who are We? Excerpts from the Letter
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Our Community organizing is a process where we as a people who have had the same experiences of "marginalization " with our families or ourselves. We sometimes live in proximity to each other. We came together into an organization that acts in a shared self-interest. Unlike those who promote more-consensual community building, PPU organizing generally assumes that social change will inherently involve conflict and social struggle in order to generate collective power for the powerless. The disparities didn't happen overnight.
PPU's core goal of community organizing is to generate durable power for Portland Parent Union representing the community, allowing us to influence key decision-makers on a range of issues over time. In the ideal, this can get community organizing groups a place at the table, consistently, before important decisions are made.
We believe you are too fearful to give your whole self or the invested time to families who need you the most!
What is Fear (an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat.)
Dr. Brene Brown says, “we’re all afraid, we just have to get to the point where we understand. It doesn’t mean that we can’t also be brave!” We at PPU are wary of doing “restarts of hope” we carry no trust for those who claim they are for all children and by default (few look like us), are really not able to fulfill their promises. This is one of the drivers that create distrust!
This is why we need to have conversations!
We hope tonight is that beginning.
Can we start restoring that trust?
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