This is a SELF-Assessment & an Observer-Assessment
What LENS are you operating from?
Which Level or Stage of Awareness are you?
JOIN US to see and learn about the 5 Stages of Awareness!
NOTE: This strategy can, also, be used by individuals as we/you listen to the comments being made by people during conversations about race and systemic oppression/disparities, etc.
We can assess or get an idea of where we think the individual might be on this continuum.
A huge thank you to Kristen Molina-Nauert for this wonderful design!
Please SEE the notes below.
THE CREATION OF THE STAGES OF AWARENESS
- During a discussion in an equity group, I heard a facilitator, attack a participant without grace. I noticed, by the victim’s comments, that he wasn’t someone who was aware of the struggles of the members of the Black community.
- I soon, thereafter, created the Stages of Awareness using the three colors on a stop sign. The levels, later, extended to five colors.
USING THE STAGES OF AWARENESS
- Self-Assessment
- Review the information assigned to each color.
- Determine which color seems closest to where you are on your journey to becoming informed about racism and anti-Blackness; and, toward helping to make substantial changes to practices and systems.
- Notice that sometime you may be between two of the stages (i.e. I am between Green and Purple.)
– This provides us insight into why the person is responding the way they are and, also, alerts us to how we will respond to them.– We can use more tact when addressing someone who is Red or Yellow. We want to do our best to “Call them IN”.
– We will, however, “Call Out” those whose status is Green or Purple. - NOTE:
In our Act-Out Equity and VIGOR: Racial Equity Conversations Sessions, we ask participants to re-name themselves using the first letter of the color that represents where they think they are. (i.e. Because I think I am between Green and Purple, I will put MsBettie – G/P)
Noticing/Awareness of an Individual's Actions/Comments
- When speaking with people, you will be able to, somewhat, access a person’s Stage/color by their actions or comments.
- NOTE:
Some people think they are further down the on the continuum, when in actuality, are not!- Some people who are self-proclaimed activist, “woke”, individuals, in reality have a long way to go!!!
- Some of these people are facilitating groups!!!
So You KNOW
…not so random Black History fact:
Traffic Light Inventor – Garrett Morgan