We think every group of people who do work together in the world has to learn how to hold contradictory truths.
Here are some examples of curricula that use vent diagrams to help move groups of people through the process of naming and holding contradictions they/we experience.
Please feel to use and modify any of the curricula, with credit to @Vent_Diagrams and/or the individuals listed below!
And, if you’ve integrated vents in to workshops or curricula you lead with groups working towards collective liberation, we’d love to share it here too! Email or DM us.
Open to the public vent diagrams gathering at New Women Space in Brooklyn, NY
Facilitated by E.M. Eisen-Markowitz and Rachel Schragis
In person with slideshow, July 2018
Venting towards anti-racist practice for white educators
Workshop for white anti-racist educator affinity group of Andover Breadloaf (ABL)
Developed by E.M. Eisen-Markowitz and ABL colleagues
Virtual workshop with slideshow, August 2020
Unravelling Antisemitism: Community Discussion Guide and Poster Project
Resources for facilitating workshops on the role of Jews in building movements for collective liberation
Discussion Guide by Rebecca Katz, Poster lead by Rachel Schragis and Rebecca Katz
January 2022
On Our Terms: Restorative Justice CPAR Project
Workshop for about 40 students teachers and parents, as part of longer Critical Participatory Action Research Project called On Our Terms - find out more here: https://onourterms.nyc
Facilitated by E.M. Eisen-Markowitz
60-90 min in person workshop, July 2018
Sunrise Movement: Holding Contradictions about Climate Organizing
Workshop for staff & core volunteers of the Sunrise Movement, youth-lead climate justice organizing.
Facilitated by Rachel Schragis
90-120 min Virtual workshop, July 2020
Venting on What it Means to Be A Good Leader
Session with 10 high school student-leaders who are working on civic issues in their neighborhood in Hamtramck, Detroit, MI
Facilitated by Alissa Shelton of @Bank_Suey (reach out for images of process and product)
No-tech in person workshop, March 2019
Liberation for All: Queer Art and Activism
Workshop for a group of 15 queer-identified high schoolers learning about queer art & activism
Facilitated by E.M. Eisen-Markowitz & Tiffany Lenoi Jones in NYC
60 min in person workshop with slideshow, April 2018
Jewish Identity & Anti-Jewish Oppression
Workshop about Jewish identity & anti-Jewish oppression, as part of a longer series addressing different oppressions in the workplace
Co-facilitated by Imani Chapman (imanistrategies.com) & Franny Silverman (mefranny.com)
60-90 min virtual workshop, Sept 2021