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
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P.S. I am personally happy with the identity of list subscribers remaining
confidential until the subscriber decides otherwise.
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