[ImmerSection]
immersion + intersectionality = a new way of educating ourselves about each other
tl;dr version
[too long; didn't read]
The site is currently very text heavy and academic, which we are aware of. Multimedia content is in progress. For now though, the important stuff:
ImmerSection is a project designed to be a free and simple way to help clinicians, educators, and anyone who encounters humans to be more aware of diverse human experiences through immersing themselves in social media feeds that speak to a number of intersectional experiences. (As well as eventually undertaking tasks such as providing trainings and hosting a directory of lived-experience professionals.)
In order to participate in our initial rollout, please follow the ImmerSection Facebook feed. There, you will find articles, Facebook posts, tweets, Instagram posts, and so forth that speak to a number of experiences we all encounter in our work.
Please remember to stay in your lane when immersing yourself in these posts. Our suggestion, particularly when in early stages of learning about an experience, is to read the comments when the post is from a niche social media account or an individual, but avoid the comments when an article is from a large mainstream news or other organization. We want folks to be seeing discussions expressing the range of views of marginalized folks and their true allies, not comments from a broader public who largely do not understand these experiences.
Please refrain from entering discussions centering on experiences you do not share, unless specifically invited.
If you have an urge to argue with or correct people of an experience you do not share, please refrain, and continue to listen and learn why this is not appropriate.
If someone is making a point that seems harmful to the broader community of an experience, or to those with a different experience, let the people with lived experience address it, unless they are specifically asking for privileged folks to assist.
Do not ask questions; just listen. The goal of this project is to amplify voices and bring them to those of us who have historically not listened. We very much want to avoid bringing people into spaces to ask questions and demand labor, or to make "well-intentioned" comments that might feel exhausting to those in the space.
Assume that discussions about an experience are only for those who share an experience unless it has been specified that everyone/allies/parents/professionals are welcome.
In general, refrain from making even supportive comments in a discussion that does not concern you. If a discussion looks as if a person with a marginalized identity is being "piled on" and supportive comments are needed, please make absolutely sure your comments only amplify the speaker and encourage others to listen, rather than any sort of explaining or commentary; there is a fine line between supporting someone and coming across as speaking for them or implying they need assistance or are not making their point sufficiently. If in doubt, ask whether the engagement is welcome, or state something such as that you are willing to assist in collecting privileged folks if this is desired.
Refrain from sending private messages to marginalized people in social media spaces that you have entered in order to learn. This is only appropriate if you are positive you have begun connecting as equal colleagues or friends. Any messages to apologize on behalf of your privileged group, tell someone how brave they are, or thank them for their labor will generally be unwelcome, and again, the intention of this project is to learn from free content, not to add to anyone's cognitive or emotional load.