[Antiracism] Junebug Productions Dialogue - Dec. 4th

[Mary]

You're invited!

Community Dialogue with John O'Neal and Junebug Productions

Sunday, December 4th, 12:00pm - 4:00pm
Center for Contemplative Mind in Society
199 Main St., Northampton
(up the street from Haymarket Café and diagonal from City Hall)

John O'Neal, founder of The Free Southern Theater 
and a dedicated organizer through the Civil 
Rights Movement to the present day, will be 
sharing an approach to the use of story called 
Story Circles. John O'Neal is the artistic 
Director of Junebug Productions, based in New 
Orleans. Story Circles is the foundation of 
Junebug's artistic and activist work, often 
dealing with issues of systematic racism.

About Story Circles

"When we tell stories, we are sharing with each 
other how we put things together.
When we share stories, we share parts of ourselvesŠ
The use of a circle where everyone can see each 
other is critical, as it implies an equal, active 
and democratic role for each participant." - John 
O'Neal

Story Circles use the age-old tradition of story 
telling as a way to bring people together and to 
build relationships among themŠ

The story circle serves as an integral tool for 
building and encouraging communication and 
knowledge. The premise behind the process is that 
by allowing people to hear each other's 
viewpoints or experiences in the form of, they 
gain a much fuller understanding of alternative 
ideas and experiences without unnecessary 
confrontation, and without feeling that their own 
ideas are being threatened or rejectedŠ

In story telling  (and story circles), listening 
is always more important than talking. If you're 
thinking about your story while someone is 
telling theirs, you won't hear what they say. If 
you trust the circle, when it comes your turn to 
tell, a story will be thereŠ

Organizers and artists alike have testified that 
the use of Story Circles allows participants to 
speak freely about feelings, connect with social 
issues on a very intimate, visceral level, gain 
respect and empathy for each other, and form 
lasting bonds.

  For more information, call Rose  at 413 
582-0071, X 14. Sponsored by New World Theater
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