Frida Kahlo: Broken Column

Often support groups for healing and transformation are limited in that the only commonality is a common pathology and not a larger vision of transformation or a greater community of values. Many of these groups are run by corporations or fueled by religious tenets that often blame the victim, fuel passivity and discourage activism. This list has been established as a space for leftist activists struggling with disabilities, trauma and illnesses, including mental illness. It is the intention of this list to offer a space for support, analysis, connection, collaboration, and solidarity as we explore both the personal journey, and its larger place in the body politic within the greater context of class analysis. That said, this list is not dogmatic in its approach, but rather, offers a venue to explore the imposition of capitalism, the breakdown of community, the medical establishment, the politics of illness, the role of religion in both healing and oppression, along with the creation of new paradigms of healing and illness, opportunities for collaboration, community and transformation.

Faith based activists are encouraged to join the list, along with activists who are atheist or agnostic. But we discourage discourse that maintains that illness is the fault of the faithless, a repayment for misdeeds in a past life, bad karma or that it is part of some divine plan.

Healers may also join the list as long as they do not use the list to advocate their own healing modalities or to solicit clients.

List rules and governance:
This list is hosted by ¡Cafe Intifada! and moderated by activist Emma Rosenthal.
1. Open dialogue is to be encouraged. As such, there will be no moderation of each post to the list. This is a forum in which activists need feel free to openly share, without the impediment, limitation and control imposed by the moderator.
2. In the pursuit of wellness, there are many modalities. What works for one person may be anathema to another. On these matters we agree to disagree.
3. Personal attacks are not acceptable group discourse. Disagreements must be framed in terms of difference of opinion with opinions stated, not in accusations and attacks on the character of the person whose opinion is being scrutinized. But rather, where differences can be explored, where a synthesis of consensus can be nurtured and transformation encouraged.
4. No spamming, advertising of products, no religious proselytizing.
5. The focus of the list is on the personal journey through illness, disability and trauma and its political implications. Other posts and posts of events not related to this mission are not acceptable.
6. List members who cannot adhere to the list guidelines will be warned once. If they persist in disrupting the list, they will be removed. They can reapply to the list in one month. They may repeat this process one more time before permanent removal from the list.
7. Differences with the moderator's position are not discouraged. Should the moderator make a decision that is not in accordance with the sensibilities of the group as a whole, the decision can be reversed by a majority vote of the list members.

To join the list, send an email with "subscribe" in the subject field to:

dancingwithfrida-subscribe@lists.riseup.net