The Barriers Men of Color Face in the Movement to End

Gender Violence and Strategies to Support Them

May 20, 2011Presenters

Monica Collins & Alejandro Covarrubias

Introductions

Ground Rules

Barriers & Strategies

Questions

Examples & Impact

ROAD MAP

Introductions

Monica Collins

• Assistant Director for Prevention and Education Programs & Victim Advocate in the Women and Gender Advocacy Center at Colorado State University

• Current graduate research is in the field of Sociology and is titled The Symbolic and Structural Similarities between Antebellum Slave Markets and Modern Day NCAA Football Recruiting.

• Teaches courses at CSU on race/ethnicity in popular media, gender socialization and violence prevention.

Alejandro Covarrubias

• Program Specialist, Center for Multicultural Excellence at the University of Denver

• Developed and facilitated Men’s program on masculinity development and sexual assault prevent at 3 different college campuses

• Presented on Men of Color in anti-violence/gender violence movements

East CoastMidwestNorthwestMountain RegionSouthSouthwest

Where are people from?

What field are people in?CorporateHigher EducationNon-ProfitOther Field

No ExperienceLimited ExperienceSome ExperienceExtensive Experience

How much experience do you have working with Men of Color

in anti-violence work and/or discussing this topic?

Community Guidelines• There are no “experts”… including us! • We will speak from our personal experiences and

ask that you do the same.• We all might experience moments of feeling

triggered, defensive or uncomfortable, especially as we are talking about unconscious racism in the movement. Try to remain open to the process.

• Let’s all pay attention to moments when we feel defensiveness, discomfort and/or validation. Those feelings are clues!

6 BARRIERS & STRATEGIES

1. Singular definition of masculinity

2. Limited space to process trauma

3. Racism within institutions and society

4. Leadership within the anti-violence movement

5. Loss of community

6. Historical Context

Singular definition of masculinityBA

RRIE

R 1

“Masculinity” is synonymous with White MasculinityMen of Color experience a racialized masculinity:

Driven by Media ImagesBlack and Latino men are often seen as hyper-aggressive and

hyper-violentAsian men often seen as asexual,

passive, and feminized

Singular definition of masculinityImpact:

Black and Latino men are stereotyped as more masculine and thus more violent

Asian men face added homophobic harassment and/or feel the need to use hyper-masculine posturing as a response to racial harassment

Example: Media response to Common’s invitation to perform at the White House

BARR

IER

1

Move from masculinity to masculinitiesST

RATE

GIE

SHonor that there are many forms of masculinity for all men

An individual’s masculinity is formed by intersections of other social identities like race, class, disability, sexuality, religion and nationality

Do not let White culture define the experiences of Men of Color

What is “Machismo”?

Present multiple versions of masculinityResources should include information for/about men with

various intersecting identities: Queer Men of Color, Men with disabilities, Working-Class Men of Color

Men lack spaces to talk about trauma

Men tend not to talk about the trauma that has been inflicted on them or about the trauma they have inflicted on others. This is generally true for all men, regardless of race

Our framework for “trauma” is typically physical or sexual abuse… we typically don’t count harassment, bullying or teasing

Men of Color especially need this space as their racial identity often intersects with gendered experiences of violence and trauma

BARR

IER

2

Men lack spaces to talk about trauma

Impact: Men of Color are processing trauma around gender and

racismSilencing of racist traumaMen of Color don’t get to explore their own issues

Example: Men of Color might not feel safe talking about violence within communities of color while in a majority White space (gender caucus)

BARR

IER

2

STRA

TEG

IES

Need to broaden the definition of “trauma” so that experiences around race, ability, class, etc. matter

Name the racialized violence men of color experience or are perceived to experience

Scar Story ActivityHave men tell story of physical scarOpen space for emotional scarsWho has scarred them? Who have they scarred? (What does it feel like to know that you have scarred someone?)

Create spaces for Men of Color to talk about victimization and victimizing

Racism within Institutions and Society

Men of Color are disproportionately depicted and reported as perpetrators of sexual assault and gender violence

Socialization as a White womanExample:

Racism within Victim Advocacy

Men of Color are also convicted at a higher rate

The media portrays Men of Color (specifically Black and Latino men) as hyper-violent

BARR

IER

3

Racism within Institutions and Society

Impact:Despite the very low percentage of “false” reports, Men

of Color are socialized to fear being falsely accused of crimes, specifically when involved with White women

Society views and treats men of color with greater suspicion and accountability

Men of Color (or organizations/communities comprised of Men of Color) face additional scrutiny and accountability

BARR

IER

3

Racism within Institutions and Society

Example: Chris Brown vs. Charlie Sheen

Example: Recent Today Show episodeExample: Man of Color at CSU Women’s Conference

BARR

IER

3

STRA

TEG

IES

Remain committed to honoring and exploring the complexities of identity within this issue.

Speak out against media outlets and challenge anti-violence leaders who fail to recognize how “outrage” is often racialized

Offer multiple options for survivors that include and move beyond the criminal justice system

Community Accountability and Transformative Justice (TJ) movements

We cannot allow men of color to excuse misogynistic behaviors with their racial identity

Consider intersecting identities when discussing issues of accountability

Leadership within anti-violence movements

The perception is that nationwide leaders and men’s organizations are predominantly White (Men can Stop Rape, 1 in 4, etc)

When Men of Color are looked to as leaders, it is typically for a targeted population, community or issue.BA

RRIE

R 4

Leadership within anti-violence movements

Impact:Lack of nationwide leadership for Men of ColorMen of Color get pigeonholed into addressing certain

issuesMen of Color are stereotyped as not engaged or lacking

interest because they do not show up like White leaders

Examples:Differences around Leadership (CSU Men’s Project)

White men moved from action to self discoveryMen of color moved from self-discovery to action and community development

BARR

IER

4

STRA

TEG

IE SRe-examine expectations of what “leadership” and “engagement” look like

Honor that men of color are also facing racism while engaging in anti-violence work

Credibility of a white presenter vs. a presenter of color

Most Men of Color leadership development happens around sports, we need to move away from this

Look to Men of Color for leadership within the anti-violence movement in general

Re-examine leadership within the movement

Loss of CommunityMen of Color risk losing their community & becoming isolated when acting as bystanders within their racial/ethnic communities

Especially true for Men of Color in predominately White institutions, colleges, etc.

Impact:Men of Color face additional complexities when

discussing “bystander intervention” strategies

Due to the lack of visible men of color in the movement, men of color risk feeling misunderstood and alienated in the movement AND within their own communities

BARR

IER

5

STRA

TEG

IES

Support opportunities for Men of Color to engage in communities of pro-feminist Men of Color

Actively seek out Men of Color leadership conferences and collaborate with them

Create space at Gender-Violence Prevention conferences for Men of Color to meet each other

Actively invite Men of Color to Gender-Violence Prevention conferences

Acknowledge that most bystander models tend to be based on White/“Western” values

Provide opportunities for Men of Color to engage in and create community

Historical ContextHistorical impact of social justice movements

Sexism within racial justice movement Racism within feminist movement

Most sexual assault/gender violence centers are staffed by White women

Socialized racism from White women and socialized sexism from Men of Color leads to mutual mistrust

BARR

IER

6

Historical ContextImpact:

Complexities of intersecting identities in relationships between Men of Color and White women

When doing “gender work”, the assumption is often that “gender” should be the primary lens

Women of Color lack safe spaces because of sexism and racism

BARR

IER

6

STRA

TEG

IE SWhite folks dialogue together to name and acknowledge the racism they (and the history of the movement) bring to the table when working with People of Color

Men of Color dialogue together to name and acknowledge the sexism and dominance they bring to the table when working with all women

Recognize the impact that racism and sexism have on Women of Color

Become more personally aware of our own advantaged/dominant and marginalized/subordinated identities

Ask ourselves and our organizations how these identities have an impact on the way we do the work

Engage in accountability dialogues

!?Questions

?Comments?

Contact InformationAlejandro Covarrubias

afcovarrubias@gmail.com

Monica Collins

monicahcollins@yahoo.com