A Statement of Position

~ I am thinking about sending this to family members who may misunderstand/misinterpret/misquote one’s motives.

Statement by Rising Fawn

with gratefulness to Manuel Smith (1975), Robert Alberti & Michael Emmons (1982), and Marzanoresearch.com/classroomstrategies (2009). Note: The word “peer” is used in this context to signify a professional acquaintance, friend, neighbor, or family member.

 

  • You have the right to say “no” without feeling guilty. No one can force you to do something you are uncomfortable with, just as you cannot force your peers to do something they don’t want to do (i.e., choices about life, political views, beliefs).
  • You have the right to private life, free of gossip; you don’t have the right to gossip about or invade anyone else’s privacy.
  • You have the right to talk about your feelings as long as you don’t hurt or embarrass others in the process.
  • You can be counted on to be respectful to others, and you have the right to be treated with respect.
  • You have the right to feel safe; you don’t have the right to make others feel unsafe.
  • You have the right to decide who you view as a close friend or family member; you do not have to try to make everyone like you.
  • Unless your actions hurt another, you have the right to change your mind and make mistakes. If your actions do hurt someone, you can be counted on to make amends without being perceived as “weak” or “overly sensitive.”
  • Unless someone is in danger, you have the right to choose whether you want to help solve a peer’s problems. If a peer is in danger, he or she can count on you to help or find someone else who can.
  • You have the right to evaluate your actions and the right to be accountable for them, yet you do not have the right to criticize the behavior of your peers.
  • You have the right to be heard, to have a voice. Your opinions count, as do the opinions of your peers.
  • You have the right to be treated as a human with meaningful connections. You do not have the right to demean or dehumanize others.

All have the right to be treated with respect.

Lovingly,

Fawn Rising

Photography & Writing by FawnRisingLace2015©
March 5, 2015
Le Lac du mon Père
Crystal Lake Florida USA Earth