I  agree with David's points about inclusion beyond
psychology - we have started a small community psychology
network in the southwest and are finding perhaps that that
label means that people who would contribute a lot and from
whom we can learn feel excluded - so any phrasing for
this list that is more explicitly inclusive ( beyond
psychology) and consistent with  those phrases david uses
would be more than fine with me.

And notwithstanding reservations, which I share, about
guidelines and restrctions ( I feel my life to be swamped
with bureacracy which seems to whittle down our collective
and personal trust )this has provoked a useful discussion.
Annie


On Wed, 5 Mar 2003 17:42:03 -0000 David Fryer
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> I am in favour of minimal restriction on list communication but think it is
> important that there are some agreements on content and process. I also
> don't see the point of a CP list whose traffic was not consistent with CP
> values and assumptions (though I realise deciding what, exactly, those are
> is up to the list members).
>
> On the one hand I think Annie's suggestion is a little too fine a mesh. I
> think it worth making more explicit that you do not need to be a
> credentialed psychologist to have something valuable to say and to
> contribute to the list. I would be very happy if  community development
> people, community educationists, community activists, community members,
> tenants' group members etc. contributed. I know this is consistent with
> Annie's 'that fit with' but suggest we are more explicitly inclusive e.g.:
> "postings are welcome which contribute to community well-being, power
> sharing, social justice and social support" (but see below).
>
> On the other hand, I fear this is a little too wide a mesh.  I am
> uncomfortable with the CP list being to recruit research participants, for
> example, and especially uncomfortable with recruitment in to research
> studies which might reinforce heterosexist ideology (or any other mental
> health corrosive discourse) and / or which use passive processing techniques
> like surveys. For me this means making it explicit that we are thinking
> about social justice in a wider way which includes e.g. actively promoting
> collective social justice and avoiding collusion with disempowering
> discourses.  The JISC guidelines would not stop this sort of use of the list
> so let too much through. In any case they seem a little too bureaucratic and
> mechanical for comfort to me.
>
> Thirdly, shortly after the list started there was some flippant banter from
> a list member in response to another's request for support. I assumed that
> this was just an example of other people's sense of humour but continued to
> fear that the banter bordered on disrespect both to the list member it was a
> reply to but also to community members implicated. I think we do need to
> remember to be respectful and considerate to each other. It is hard doing
> this sort of CP work and many of us are doing it in indifferent or hostile
> contexts. There is a need for a forum for support and solidarity.
>
> Finally, however, I also think it most important that the list helps us be
> effective. After all, the point is to make a difference, not just to e-talk
> about doing so. Community psychologists are generally used to receiving
> criticism from positivists, medical model service providers, conservatives
> etc. Most of that is useless criticism as it comes from alien criteria
> embedded and meaningful only within another paradigm or value position which
> we have rejected. What we sometimes lack is constructive criticism according
> to our own critical community criteria. I think the list could provide a
> space for critically 'auditing' some of what we do.
>
> So in summary I would like minimal restrictions but I would like some
> guidelines. The key words for me are inclusion (beyond psychology),
> collective social justice, support and solidarity and promotion of critical
> thinking.
>
> David
> David Fryer
> Community Psychology Group
> University of Stirling
> FK9 4LA
> Scotland
> [log in to unmask]
>
> P.S. I am personally happy with the identity of list subscribers remaining
> confidential until the subscriber decides otherwise.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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Annie Mitchell
Lecturer in Psychology,
Clinical Director, Doctorate in Clinical and Community Psychology,

School of Psychology,
Washington Singer Building,
University of Exeter,
Exeter,
EX4 4QG

Phone 01392 264621 or
Liz Mears, Programme Administrator 01392 403184

COMMUNITYPSYCHUK - The discussion list for community psychology in the UK.
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