Stuyvesant BSL (Black Students League), ASPIRA, and the School Counseling Department will hold a Talking Circle around the topic of Race on Monday, May 6th, at 3:45pm in the library. We began meeting on April 1st. Subsequent meetings will be held the first Monday of every month.
Talking circles, peacemaking circles, or healing circles, as they are variously called, are deeply rooted in the traditional practices of indigenous people. In North America, they are widely used among the First Nations people of Canada and among the many tribes of Native Americans in the US. Healing circles take a variety of forms, but most basically, members sit in a circle to consider a problem or a question. The circle starts with breathing exercises, a series of stretches, and/or a thought-provoking quote. A talking stick is held by the person who speaks (other objects may also be used, including feathers and fans). When that person is finished speaking, the talking stick is passed to the left (clockwise around the circle). Only the person holding the stick may speak. All others respectfully listen. The circle is complete when the stick passes around the circle one complete time without anyone speaking out of turn. The talking circle prevents reactive communication and directly responsive communication, and it fosters deeper listening and reflection in conversation.
