Truth Power
[SARN Memo for February 3, 2010]
(Part five of a five-part series)
When we know we’re in the right, we have a tremendous power: the power from within. Self-advocates can use this power we get from believing in ourselves. It’s the power of knowing that we have something important to say.
This power from within is like a deep well within each of us. It grows when we encourage one another. It grows when we listen to each other’s stories. It grows when we tell our positive visions. It grows as we learn from those who’ve gone before.
Let’s fill up this well inside of us. Let’s become powerful in this way and build self-advocacy.
[Next week: Truth Power]
Respond to this memo!1. Group Exercise
Knowing and naming our rights builds our power from within.
Self advocates have human rights. Many of these rights are named in the 2007 treaty signed by the United Nations. Below are a few of those rights.
Have someone (in advance) write, in large lettering, each of these rights (and others, if you wish). Then do a group reading, in which each right is read out loud by a different reader. Have the group repeat each right after it has been read out loud. (For example, one reader says, “I have an equal right to privacy.” Then the group says, “I have the right to privacy.”)
After all of the rights have been read, have the last person say, “We are self-advocates and we have these rights.” Have the group repeat this phrase.
Find a public event to perform this group reading.
■ An equal right to Privacy
■ An equal right to Independent Living
■ An equal right to Work
■ An equal right to Education
■ An equal right to Health
■ An equal right to Access
■ An equal right to Culture
■ An equal right to Voting
2. Resources
We Have Human Rights
This book is for people with developmental disabilities. Learn about your rights. Talk with others about your rights. Includes great exercises for your group. Written for self-advocates.
Reach for the Power Switch: How Ordinary People Can Use Power to Make Change
Learn to recognize the different kinds of power, and begin using the healthy forms of power to build self-advocacy, using this self-led workshop.
Today’s Trivia Question:
What US state has the highest percentage of Native Americans?
- South Dakota
- Maryland
- Georgia
- Alaska
(The answer will be published in the next Memo.)
Answer to January 27th Trivia Question: d. New Mexico – 42% [source US Census 2000]
Question was: What US state has the highest percentage of Hispanic Americans?
- Michigan
- Kansas
- California
- New Mexico
Do you have a trivia item you’d like to submit?
Create a trivia question and we will review your question for possible use.
Your trivia question:
The correct answer:
Would you like your name to appear as the author of the trivia question? If yes, give us your name and where you are from.
Reader Responses
I am so glad you identified that we have the right to culture. I have a deep and abiding passion for Classical music. I feel we express our unique humanity through experiencing and sharing our creativity.