Take the #AONoMore Challenge
By: Abby Twyman | January 24, 2021
In the Radical Action Circle, we fuel genuine heart connections amongst beautiful creatures (aka Tipsy Unicorns and Kraken) who are motivated to take action to create a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. We do this by providing a vessel in which emerging activists and self-proclaimed change catalysts can learn and grow by following our 3-step plan: Fucking Listen, Be Radical, and Take Action.
You down to FBT?!? Come git you a tip… see/???
Join us for Action Circles on Saturdays at 10:00AM Alaska (11:00 PST/2:00 EST) where we support each other in learning how to flip the script on concerns in our lives so we stop cosigning bullshit and create plans to start behaving like we say we wanna and end oppression. We are committed to not being or accepting AOs, getting our poops in groups, and taking effective action in the service of creating a more just, equitable, and peaceful world.
Take Our Alaskan Oasis Transformation Challenge: We are dedicated to ending all forms of oppression including racism, classism, colonialism, white-saviorism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, xenophobia, and religious discrimination, through our actions.
The #AONoMore Pledge
AO, in behavior-speak, stands for Abolishing Operation. This core concept in behavioral science is related to the effect stimuli in one's environment has on the reinforcing value of acting and the motivation or urge to act. Environmental stimuli, or in general terms "something that happens inside or outside your body at any given moment in time", which are considered AOs are those that decrease the reinforcing value of acting at the moment and/or decreases the motivation to act in the future.
Are you ready to stop making excuses for inaction? Then take the #AONoMore pledge in which we commit to taking action every day to create a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. We can be AOs to ourselves and to others which means that we will continuously fail to act due to our perceived circumstances.
We can change this by committing to taking at least one action in the service of creating a more just, equitable, and peaceful world. We acknowledge that the work we do is mentally, emotionally, and physically exhausting, which is why our only ask is a commitment to one action per day. Even if the only thing you have the spoons for is thinking of something you're grateful for, that's one more tally in the committed action completed column. One more step towards the ultimate destination... humanity.
Daily Cycle
These are possible actions we could choose to do on a daily basis.
Gratitude Journal - think/say or think/write in response to “I am grateful for…”
Acceptance Practice - feel/think or think/feel without fusing with the “I am…”
Commitment Practice - think/say or think/write what you “plan to-do today…”
Action Engagement - think/do or see/do all the committed actions you can manage
Reflection Journal - think/say or think/write in response to “today I managed to...”
Shared Celebration - think/say or think/write one thing you accomplished today
Weekly Cycle
These are regularly scheduled activities throughout the week we could choose to attend.
Motors On Monday - this is the day we get prepared to act upon our plans
- Evocative Reads - Anti-Oppression bookclub with Karissa Preudhomme
Turnt Up Tuesday - this is the day we build momentum in ourselves and others
- Defy - Dreamer/Doer Lounge with danyelle beal
- Defy - FUBU Lounge with Cammie Morgan
Wake Zone Wednesday - this is the day we get moving and begin taking action
- Do Better Collective: Mentorship Group with Megan Miller
Throttle It Thursday - this is the day we ramp up our efforts and recruit power
- Defy: Monthly gathering of BCBAs committed to doing better
Final Push Friday - this is the day we push hard to fulfill our commitments
- Beautiful Humans: Tipsy Unicorn Edition with Abby Twyman
Smooth Sailing Saturday - this is the day we share stories and get centered
- Radical Action Circle: Anti-Oppression Action Planning with Tipsy Unicorns
- Justice Alliance: Anti-Oppression Action Organizing with Beautiful Humans
Sextants Out Sunday - this is the day we navigate by the stars of our hearts
- Mindful ABA: Soulful Sunday with Deepinder Ransi
Monthly Cycle
These are the Collective Action Circle gatherings we could choose to attend throughout the month.
Gathering 1 (New Moon) - this is the time of the month we set our intentions
Gathering 2 (Waxing Moon) - this is the time of the month we explore possibilities
Gathering 3 (Full Moon) - this is the time of the month we make decisions
Gathering 4 (Waning Moon) - this is the time of the month we commit to action
Gathering Cycle
This is the general flow of the conversation during action circle gatherings.
Fucking Listen - Storytelling and reflective listening
- Welcoming - 5 minutes - cycle guide sets our shared intentions
- Storytime - 10 minutes - honored guests share their stories
- Reflection - 5 minutes - silent meditation on stories heard
Be Radical - Open, honest, and centered dialog
- Introductions - 3-5 minutes per guest (about 30 minutes total)
- Conversation - 2-3 minutes per guest (about 15 minutes total)
Take Action - Commitment to value-driven action
- Consideration - 5 minutes - silent meditation on dialog shared
- Commitments - 3-5 minutes per guest (about 30 minutes total)
- Closing - 5 minutes - cycle guide seals our shared intentions
Key Issues to Discuss
These are the key issues we are open to discussing during radical action circle gatherings.
- Criminal Justice System
- Educational System
- Healthcare System
- Welfare System
- Civil Liberties
- Education Funding
- Special Education
- History Curriculum
- Sexuality/Relationship Education
- Family Coaching/Support
- Teaching-Family Model
- Community-Based Education
- Accomplishment-Based Education
- Precision Teaching/Direct Instruction
- Maloney Method
- FIT Learning
- Fluency Factory
- Collaborative and Proactive Solutions
- Teacher Training, Supervision, and Mentorship
- Mindfulness/ACT/Social-Emotional Learning
- Restorative Justice
- Foundational Toolbox for Life
- Political Compass
- Appreciative Inquiry
- Sound Verbal Behavior
- Humanistic Behavioral Science
Partner Organizations
This is a list of organizations currently engaging in actions in the service of creating a more just, equitable, and peaceful world with which we're seeking a collaborative partnership.
Beautiful Humans Social Change Cast
Justice Alliance of Behavioral Scientists
ADR: Advocate, Dismantle, Rebuild
Behaviorists for Social Responsibility
Cultural and Diversity ABAI-SIG
Black Applied Behavior Analysts
Supporting Resources for the Work We Do
Below is a working list of resources on which our work is based. These resources should be reviewed in preparation for discussions related to various anti-oppression topics.
Anti-Racism Resources
Organizations Working in this Area:
- Showing up for Racial Justice: https://www.showingupforracialjustice.org/
- Center for Racial Justice Education: https://centerracialjustice.org/
- White Accomplices: https://www.whiteaccomplices.org/your-self-education
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- 1619 Project Curriculum: https://pulitzercenter.org/lesson-plan-grouping/1619-project-curriculum
- Zinn Education Projects: https://www.zinnedproject.org/
University of Washington: https://www.washington.edu/raceequity/resources/anti-racism-resources/
Good-Good-Good: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/anti-racism-resources
UNC-Chapel Hill: https://diversity.unc.edu/yourvoicematters/anti-racism-resources/
University of Pittsburgh: https://pitt.libguides.com/antiracism/ally
Anti-Classism Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- How to Fight Classism: https://sites.google.com/site/classismandlearning/how-to-fight-classism
- School is No Place for Classism: https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/school-is-no-place-for-classism
Class Action: https://classism.org/resources/
Tri-College Libraries: https://guides.tricolib.brynmawr.edu/c.php?g=285382&p=1904281
University of Portland: https://libguides.up.edu/anti-oppression/anti-classism
Anti-Colonialism Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- Indian Education for All: https://www.amazon.com/Indian-Education-All-Decolonizing-Multicultural/dp/0807764590
- Anti-colonial Educational Perspectives for Transformative Change: https://brill.com/view/serial/ACEP
Native Movement: https://www.nativemovement.org/resources
Black Mesa Indigenous Support: https://supportblackmesa.org/take_action/anti-colonial-resources/
Bloom Network: https://bloomnetwork.org/anti-colonial-solidarity-primer/
Anti-White Saviorism Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- Critical Race Theory: https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1182572.pdf
- A Call to Action for White Educators: https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/a-call-to-action-for-white-educators-who-seek-to-be-anti-racist
Everyday Practices of Social Justice: https://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1138&context=jctp
University of San Francisco: https://cpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/usfblogs.usfca.edu/dist/9/244/files/2016/05/reedmercedes_6172895_64622740_MR-Final-Capstone-Report-pslx7t.pdf
Non-Profit Quarterly: https://nonprofitquarterly.org/what-can-we-do-about-the-white-savior-complex/
Anti-Sexism Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- The Learning Commons: https://jefferson.kctcs.libguides.com/diversity/antisexism
- Worlds of Education: https://www.ei-ie.org/en/woe_homepage/woe_detail/15798/%E2%80%9Csexism-is-a-problem-in-every-school-now-we-must-take-action%E2%80%9D
- Boys will be Boys: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/apr/23/school-guilty-bias-against-boys-gender-gap-education
Teaching Tolerance: https://www.tolerance.org/classroom-resources/tolerance-lessons/sexism-from-identification-to-activism
World Ancestor Concert: http://www.worldancestorconcert.com/resources-antisexism-dismantlepatriarchy
People’s Guide to Anti-Sexist Men’s Activism: http://therepresentationproject.org/wp-content/uploads/pp-32-33-Resources-1.pdf
Anti-Homophobia Resources
Organizations Working in this Area:
- Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network: https://www.glsen.org/
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- British Columbia Teachers Federation: https://bctf.ca/socialjustice.aspx?id=10392
- Anti-Homophobia Education: https://www.historians.org/publications-and-directories/perspectives-on-history/may-2010/anti-homophobia-education-predicaments-and-possibilities
Safe at School: https://www.safeatschool.ca/resources/resources-on-equity-and-inclusion/homophobia/reference-materials
GLAAD: https://www.glaad.org/resourcelist
Western Illinois University: http://www.wiu.edu/equal_opportunity_and_access/ucoso/library.php
Anti-Transphobia Resources
Organizations Working in this Area:
- National Center for Transgender Equality: https://transequality.org/know-your-rights/schools
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- UNESCO: https://en.unesco.org/themes/school-violence-and-bullying/homophobic-transphobic-violence
- Transgender and Cisgender Privilege: https://www.jstor.org/stable/90002337?seq=1
Valdosta State University: https://libguides.valdosta.edu/antioppression/antitransphobia
Simmons University: https://simmons.libguides.com/anti-oppression/anti-transmisia
Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/resources/addressing-anti-transgender-violence-exploring-realities-challenges-and-sol
Anti-Ableism Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- The Learning Commons: https://jefferson.kctcs.libguides.com/diversity/antiableism
- Confronting Ableism: http://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/feb07/vol64/num05/Confronting-Ableism.aspx
- Anti-Ableism Curriculum: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328909780_Rethinking_We_Are_All_Special_Anti-Ableism_Curricula_in_Early_Childhood_Classrooms
Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: https://autisticadvocacy.org/resources/
University of Nebraska Omaha: https://libguides.unomaha.edu/antioppression/antiableism
East Bay Meditation Center: https://eastbaymeditation.org/about/radical-inclusivity/resources-on-disability-and-ableism/#toggle-id-7-closed
Anti-Xenophobia Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- NYU Anti-Racism: https://www.nyu.edu/life/global-inclusion-and-diversity/anti-racism.html
- Woven Teaching: https://www.woventeaching.org/racism-xenophobia
University of Kentucky: https://www.as.uky.edu/anti-racism-and-anti-xenophobic-strategies-and-resources-times-covid-19
Pace University: https://libguides.pace.edu/coronavirus/anti-xenophobia
Northwestern University: https://www.northwestern.edu/counseling/self-help-resources/fighting-xenophobia-and-anti-asian-racism.html
Anti- Religious Discrimination Resources
Topics for discussion related to transforming the educational system:
- Religion Equity in Schools: https://www.idra.org/resource-center/religion-equity-in-schools-protecting-students-and-their-civil-rights/
- Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/crt/combating-religious-discrimination-and-protecting-religious-freedom-20
Department of Justice: https://www.justice.gov/crt/file/877936/download
Law Firms: https://www.lawfirms.com/resources/civil-rights/discrimination-law/laws-religious-discrimination.htm
Society for Human Resource Management: https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/toolkits/pages/accommodating-religion,-belief-and-spirituality-in-the-workplace.aspx