Complex Unity NYC

ariellecohen: I love this simple collage. By teresacentric

ariellecohen — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 19:37:15 -0400

ariellecohen:

I love this simple collage. By teresacentric

SUNDAY November 12th Meeting

ariellecohen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 01:31:31 -0500

SUNDAY November 12th

@ 2pm 60 Wall Street in the Atrium (first floor lobby)

Get directions

For those not familiar with 60 Wall Street, it is actually the address of Deutsche Bank. The meeting will be held in the public atrium of 60 Wall St, which is to the left of the main entrance if you are standing on Wall Street and facing the building.

This is what the building looks like:

hippierev0luti0n: REVOLUTION: A How-To Guide

ariellecohen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:42:22 -0500

hippierev0luti0n:

REVOLUTION: A How-To Guide

mellymouse: ariellecohen: My first meeting with Eve Ensler...

ariellecohen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 00:41:34 -0500

mellymouse:

ariellecohen:

My first meeting with Eve Ensler which led to a call for action for all marginalized people.

see more here: http://www.paradigmshiftnyc.com/2011/10/call-to-action-marginalized-voices-unite-occupy-wall-st-movement/

that’s my friend arielle on the right! she’s amazing!
go down to wall street to discuss amplifying unheard voices today at 4 on the stairs near the big red thing. storytelling again directly after. :)

Sunday, November 6th at 2pm in the atrium of 60 Wall Street.

ariellecohen — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:19:00 -0400

Another gathering will take place this Sunday, November 6th at 2pm in the atrium of 60 Wall Street. For those not familiar with 60 Wall Street, it is actually the address of Deutsche Bank. The meeting will be held in the public atrium of 60 Wall St, which is to the left of the main entrance if you are standing on Wall Street and facing the building. We will be holding up a sign that says Complex Unity NYC, just for the purposes of finding one another.

The proposed agenda for Sunday is as follows:

Introductions, explanations and logistics

Open Communication: One common thread we can be relatively certain of is that each of us has felt underrepresented at some point. We want to create a new way of communicating with one another. We stress the importance of ‘Step up, Step Back’ in our group and in the communication at OWS in general. This is an effort to allow space for everyone to speak. It involves being conscious of our interactions, personally assessing the number of times we share, and evaluating how necessary something is to say to the group. It also means opening the space for those who haven’t contributed and would like to.

Common goals/common values: Because of the free-form nature of OWS and the dedication to allowing for multiple viewpoints in the same space, it has been somewhat confusing to understand what feminism means to each of us. It seems that some folks focus on women, while others look at all marginalized peoples. We cannot proceed with any actions until we have consensus on this most basic issue, and our first priority is to create a dialogue about it. The hope is to figure out how to all work together.

Visions for a Day of Action: Once we are on the same page, we can begin planning. We will break up into pairs for brief brainstorming conversations.

Details for a Day of Action

Possible name for day
Where & how (date etc.)
Items directly related to the day (march/rally/teach-ins/permit)
How to organizes weekly meetings to plan for the day
Potential for Celebrity Speaker(s) for the event
Outreach

Like OWS at large, this is a process. Everyone’s participation and patience is greatly appreciated and valued. Please pass along if you know someone who might be interested. See you on Sunday!

Notes from Day of Action Planning Meeting 10/30/11

ariellecohen — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 16:18:41 -0400

Common goals/common values
Possible name for day
Where & how (date etc.)
Items directly related to the day (march/rally/teach-ins/permit)
How to organizes weekly meetings to plan for the day
Celebrity Speaker proposed for the event (added at meeting)
Linking up with women of color w/ experience in anti-violence movement meeting uptown (added at meeting)

Explanation of how/why group formed- plan day of action around feminists/women issues at OWS
Introductions- 16 women present
Logistics- hand signals explained
Common goals/common values
1st meeting: This group came out of need to address specifically feminist issues and form to do so- agreed on day of action on feminist issues and anti-oppression;
2nd meeting: Intersectionality; importance of addressing privilege; step up/step back; what communities to outreach to; names/branding
This is a committee to plan for a day of action (today is the 3rd meeting)
Another group meeting tentative name: Women dismantle Wall Street – tying it into violence again women;
Suggested we should connect to them in very strong way.
They have suggested November 25th as their day of action b/c of international day of against violence against women
Suggested that we at least support their group even if our day is not the same.
One member discusses how are women affected by capitalism/this economy and the way the economy is set up- what do women in other countries have that women in the US do not? Eg: health care not through employer or husbands employer; paid parental leave for both parents.

One member disturbed with Gloria Steinem being a speaker b/c she supported Bill Clinton dismantling safety net and heath care etc.; the member speaking doesn’t want a nicer gentler democratic party, she wants change . They would prefer Gloria Steinem not speak on this day.

Linking up with women of color w/ experience in anti-violence movement meeting uptown
System of capitalism is violent against women
Suggestion: Perhaps we can do a two day event. They do their event on Thursday the 15th and then we do a 2nd day that weekend that is anti patriarchy and capitalism
Everyone seems to want to connect (want to know more what they are planning) but also don’t only want to solely focus on violence against women.
Suggestion: Women of color should lead this rather then asking them to join us.
Farah (founder of Blackwomen’s Blueprint) said that there is a possibility for they are having next meeting or additional at their space and we join.
Comment: this group not only to represent women but also transcommunities and other marginalized communities; if we team up with other group would be good to still represent these other communities.
Maybe we all march together and then speak out of all these different issues.
Everyone agrees that personal testimonies should be used in day of action.
One member- really want to focus on feminist issues and not all marginalized people’s issue
Feminist issues encompass a lot more than just women’s issues

Angela Davis answers Questions @ Washington Square Park Oct...

ariellecohen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:54:00 -0400

Angela Davis answers Questions @ Washington Square Park

Oct 30 2011 General Strike November 2

Arielle Cohen asked the first question.

[Find more info about Occupy Washington Square Park here]

Angela Davis @ Washington Square Park Oct 30 2011 General...

ariellecohen — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 21:42:00 -0400

Angela Davis @ Washington Square Park

Oct 30 2011 General Strike November 2

[Read the transcript here]

NEXT MEETING SUNDAY

ariellecohen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:41:00 -0400

SUNDAY November 6th

@ 2pm 60 Wall Street in the Atrium (first floor lobby)

Get directions

Don’t Mourn-Organize! (via Justseeds ) Happy General...

ariellecohen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 21:57:39 -0400

Don’t Mourn-Organize! (via Justseeds )

Happy General Strike Oakland and Everywhere!

The shape of Complex Unity NYC

ariellecohen — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 18:58:02 -0400

Wandering what all this is about?

Who Are We? What Are We Doing? Why Doing This?

Check out the new ‘About’ page and

Day of Solidarity to Amplify All Marginalized and Underrepresented-Meeting this Sunday @ 60 Wall Street

ariellecohen — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Hello Organizers, Supporters, Allies and Friends!

What an amazing experience we’ve been having. Our vision has become more obvious and more tangible. We have the potential to make significant and lasting change. We have now held our second meeting (and impromptu participation in the Washington Square General Assembly). We have some concrete needs to attend to. The first goal is to plan for Day of Solidarity to Amplify All Marginalized and Underrepresented.

Apologies to anyone who came to Liberty Square and was unable to find the group. There was some confusion due to a scheduling conflict with the group Women Occupying Wall Street and being asked by police to relocate from the Red Cube. So far it seems that there is consensus about meeting on Sundays.

For our next Sunday meeting (Oct 30^th), we have decided to meet at 2pm. Location 60 Wall St.

Proposed Agenda for Next Meeting (Sunday. 2 pm at 60 Wall St.)

Common goals/Common Values.
Possible Name for the Day/Messaging
Where and how.[Nov. 19?/Dec. 3?]
March?
Rally?
Teach–Ins
Permit?

NEEDS: We’d like to find an indoor space where we can host these weekly meetings. Please be in touch if you can offer space. Concerns about accessibility and relocating beyond the Liberty Plaza region were discussed as a possibility.

We would like to secure interest from someone/some people) who would like to help facilitate, take notes, report to the GA (at Liberty Plaza and perhaps additionally to Washington Square Park) and do outreach. One or many can do all of this so long as we work together and remain transparent.

The following are notes from the meetings thus far. We look forward to your participation! See you Sunday

MEETING 2

Sunday Oct. 23rd: Planning for Day to Amplify All Marginalized and Underrepresented

We have support from Eve Ensler, Code Pink, Gloria Steinem and Liz Abzug.
Paradigm Shift and Permanent Wave (http://thepermanentwave.tumblr.com/) for helping get the word out.
Outreach to more diverse populations needed. Reaching out to groups at OWS (People of Color/Women Occupying WallSt/SpeakEasy/Divine Feminine/ Labor/Outreach/Education) and outside (Occupy the hood/ Black Women’s Blueprint/ Organizers from Slutwalk/ Women’s Media Center/ Students). These are examples of groups that we brainstormed and NOT a final list. We would like to create a coalition of groups working together.
More accessible location for meetings.
What do we want from the day? March, Rally, Permit?
Importance of ‘Step up, Step Back in our communication with each other and in the communication at OWS in general. ‘ This is an effort to allow space for everyone to speak. It involves personally assessing the number of times we speak and evaluating how necessary something is to say to the group. It also means opening the space for those who haven’t contributed.
How to be an ally/ Assess our own Privilege. Privilege-A special right, advantage, or immunity granted or available only to a group of people or person. “an invisible package of unearned assets”—Peggy McIntosh
Avoid ‘Issue Silo-ing’
Intersectionality, – It is a theory that seeks to understand oppression as a whole, taking into account the overlap and complexities of multiple oppressions as these operate in individual lives. For instance, though a more classical view of oppression is strictly divided between race, class, gender, etc, intersectionality seeks to understand how these oppressions may operate together, strengthen or repel each other. Essentially, it is a recognition that a single human life is often the site of multiple oppressions, the effects of which cannot always be easily separated.
Possible Names/Branding/Messaging: Day of Solidarity/ Amplify All/ Amplify Intersectionality/ Inhabit Intersectionality
Consider working with the Spokes council style. (For more info, start here: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/23/1029101/-Spokes-Council-A-Complementary-Proposal-for-Governance-of-OWS)

MEETING 1

Open Letter and abridged minutes from Oct. 16th meeting with Eve Ensler:

http://www.paradigmshiftnyc.com/2011/10/call-to-action-marginalized-voices-unite-occupy-wall-st-movement/

PS: For those who do not know, there are also gatherings happening in Washington Square Park. Right now, it is not an occupation, but that is an ongoing discussion. On Oct 23^rd, it was decided to hold General Assemblies three times per week in this space.

A few of us went from our Sunday afternoon meeting to Washington Square and participated in that night’s GA. We were invited to create small group discussions to dream and state visions. We mentioned the intentions of the group meeting to amplify all voices and invited people to join. Also discussed in the small group were the following:

Solidarity with Immigrant populations.
Demand CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) be ratified
Remember the issues of the world are as crucial to acknowledge as US
Continue to occupy ideas/concepts as they prove more useful (Occupy Education/Occupy Religions etc)
Pledge to Liz Abzug’s OccupyGovernment.org: http://www.occupygovernment.org/ — Be Your Own Government Mission

For more information, and to see the visions discussed in all the small groups, please see http://www.occupywashingtonsquare.org/.

In solidarity,
Arielle Cohen
TellArielle@gmail.com
@ariellecohen
ariellecohen.org

Photo

ariellecohen — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

The whole world is listening. What do you have to say?

ariellecohen — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 00:00:00 -0400

Hello World!

An amazing thing happened just this weekend. I asked some of the women who most inspired and influenced me to help amplify my voice and in turn give voice to all those who remain unheard. The remarkable thing is they said ‘Yes!’. The loudest yes came from Eve Ensler, original ‘Vagina Warrior,’ Tony Award winning Playwright, performer, author and activist. Her answer has emboldened me and countless others. You may have heard the chants at Zuccotti Park, or on the Brooklyn Bridge, or coming from Washington Square Park and Time Square. ‘The whole world is watching, the whole world is watching!’ I wasn’t so sure until now.

As the whole world listens in, some of the marginalized voices who help make up the 99% are speaking out and sharing their story. I am determined to make sure their voices are heard. Eve met with me and Melanie Butler of Code Pink NYC at Zuccotti Park at 4pm this past Sunday. They helped me facilitate an open dialogue with a huge group of people equally as impassioned but varied in every way.

We all are concerned with the ways this unlivable economy has promoted sexism, racism, classism, trans-misogyny,the legacy of colonialism and has furthered the mounting war on unions and women’s health. The brutality and exploitation disproportionally harms people who are not being heard. This sort of injustice is linked to the unbearable circumstances we face globally.

We have called for a day of action where we explicitly focus on the voices unheard. We must provide a space for those voices to be amplified as they have for too long been silenced. We now have the opportunity to join together and challenge those who profit from these excessive barriers. We demand that the media, corporations, government, and the global community take notice.

Although the dialogue began by approaching feminism and gender equality, we quickly decided that focusing on this alone fails to address the varied experiences that have made this movement so compelling to the entire world. We have learned from movements past that and we cannot allow a homogenize group to further the message of all.

I have attached the minutes of the first meeting and plan to be at Zuccotti Park this Sunday:

Volunteer to make phone calls: gomelaniego@gmail.com

Goal: intersecting marginalized people. Ppl who are part of the 99%,

women’s caucus
Childcare
Techniques for reaching women
start writing blogs, sending the message
1^st talking point: the economy
slave burial grounds
proposal: next Sat. or the following Sat – women’s day
amendment: include all marginalized ppl – b/c what involves women involves everyone.
begin the day with a recognition of the indigenous peoples
honor all the indigenous peoples.
recognize and address, weave the issues of indigenous peoples’ struggles, the history
drop the “occupy” language – signifies violence against indigenous women and black people
the Lanape people are alive and well
making connections between colonial violence and economic violence
suggestion “humanize wall street”
additional ideas:
reach out to powerful figures and figures that should be powerful.
include transgendered people
Story time
3 or 4 paragraphs: Something weird, something that disturbs you, something political, something exciting
“I don’t think the world understands yet how amazing this is”
“artivism”

We will continue this dialogue until the conditions that necessitated this discussion are resolved.

I need your help in order to really pull this off. I know first hand how easily such amazing opportunities can be lost. This is our moment, it’s crucial that you do what you can. The mere fact that what we now know as the Occupy Wall Street movement has given me the means to reach Eve Ensler, my personal inspiration, is proof to me that this is real, that this is big, and that it is already breaking down barriers. There are a few things you can do to help me.

Come to Zuccotti Park and contribute to this dialogue and find out how you can help plan the day of action. We will meet again this Sunday October 23^rd at 4pm.
Contact me (TellArielle@gmail.com) or Melanie Butler (Melanie@codepink.org) and let us know you want to help and what you can provide, especially in regard to the day of action.
Ask people who inspire you to join you at Zuccotti Park. Hold your heros to task and ask them to help amplify this message. We all deserve better than what we face and everyone faces different obstructions.
Be a hero, examine your own privilege and inquire about how you can utilize it to give others voice and help express their story.
Share your story! Eve Ensler is committed to amplifying your stories. Ambiguous UpSparkles From the Heart of the Park is the first in a series from Eve Ensler which she is publishing weekly.

I thank you listening to the start of my story. I hope that you see the potential and feel as compelled to act as Eve Ensler, Melanie Butler and the diverse countless others that have already joined in.

In solidarity,

Arielle Cohen

TellArielle@gmail.com

ariellecohen.org