What If Some Yoga-Doer Wanted To Create A "Safe Space" For White People?
From MyNorthwest.com and the Dori Monson show, Eric Mandel posts:
Rainier Beach Yoga in Seattle has a class called "yoga for people of color." It started last week and runs once a month.Teresa Wang, co-founder of the specialized class, said it was started by five queer people of color who came together to create a safe space for people of color who might otherwise be uncomfortable.
...So what would happen if a white man decided to attend?
"Well, it's a class for people of color, so he would be coming to that class knowing that we're really clear about who we are asking to come to class, so...I'm not really sure because it hasn't happened to us," Wang said. "So I don't really know."
Dori said he has no problem with the exclusionary practice of the class. His beef is with the presumed reaction that people will applaud this class for being progressive, while the opposite -- a group of white people saying they didn't want people of color in their class -- would be "vilified."
"It would be a lead story on national news," he said. "It would be blared across all the websites about the racist yoga class in Seattle. And the fact is, this yoga class is every bit as racist as a bunch of white people who say they don't want to be around somebody of color. That's why I wouldn't want to attend either one of those classes ... The fact is, they are both racist."
Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson previously told Dori that his office would go after any business that discriminates against a specific group of people. Dori wants to know if Ferguson will stick to his word.
Personally, I'm for freedom of association, but if they'd go after white people for this, the "people of color" shouldn't be any different.
Also, when you're uncomfortable around other people, the answer isn't to avoid them (can you avoid straight, white people in life?). It's to learn to deal. This is called being functional in life. If you're not able to take yoga around white people, well, you have some truly deep and rather disgusting racial issues and should be in a special home until the therapists help you deal with them.
Previously: "The State of Washington is suing a small flower shop after the owner declined to provide flowers for a homosexual wedding - based on her religious beliefs."
I feel like there has to be a non-exclusionary way to do this.
I do latin dancing (classes and socially), and one of the instructors in town does a gay-friendly workshop (class and social) at a bar. She's gay, and she overtly advertises the event as gay-friendly all over Facebook and the bar's website, but everyone is welcome. She also encourages women who want to lead, and men who want to learn to follow to come to the class and mix it up.
That's awesome because lots of same-sex couples are often hesitant to drop in to "regular" classes, or come but dance only with their partner (because of the concern that it'll weird out other men in the class if they have to dance kizomba or bachata with another dude, or something).
I've also noticed more Facebook groups in the community centered around making the scene more racially and culturally diverse by partnering with, say, the local Black Young Professionals Meetup group, which is also awesome. But none of the mixers those groups create excludes anyone.
sofar at October 9, 2015 7:54 AM
One of the issues that isn't discussed in these types of stories is that if some kind of exclusionary get-together like this is set up and someone from a different demographic wants to take part, the organizers have a tendency to feel like that person isn't there because they have an interest in the activity. They believe they're there to deliberately create tension. And even if it's not deliberate, tension is still created.
Fayd at October 9, 2015 8:08 AM
I'm really getting tired about hearing all this talk of a "safe space."
Yep, I agree Amy, if you can't handle being around people who are different then you belong in an institution somewhere under a doctor's care.
I have no problem with saying "Let's encourage people of color to take yoga." However, I do have a problem with the email telling white folks to stay away. That part has crossed the line. They should be charged with discrimination.
charles at October 9, 2015 8:14 AM
I'd be okay with a yoga class for creaky old women who are overweight and laugh a lot.
Beth Donovan at October 9, 2015 8:17 AM
"Also, when you're uncomfortable around other people, the answer isn't to avoid them (can you avoid straight, white people in life?). It's to learn to deal. This is called being functional in life. "
This is very true. However there's more to the story. I live around straight people and always have. My family is apparently all straight (with one exception!) and I work around straight people. I can accommodate fine. It's not a problem.
However it is very, very nice to get away from that now and then. This is why it is so odious when groups of young white women shoulder their way into gay bars, grabbing men's crotches, yelling at drag queens performing and worse, as if everyone is going to be overjoyed that the coo kids have deigned to show It's not about a safe space, because I don't need one. Straight people are not the horrible, oppressive presence some wibbling little whiners make them out to be. It's about an easy space, where you can talk about things straight don't.
Jim at October 9, 2015 9:20 AM
That is the thing Jim. If you want to exclude for one group then other groups should have the same option. A 'yoga for people of color' only class is racist. Exactly as racist as a 'yoga for whites only' class.
Also, the claim that any group which is more numerous is inherently in power is false. The truth is most nations are dominated by a powerful minority. That is harder to do in a democracy but by no means impossible.
Ben at October 9, 2015 9:39 AM
Trying again, omitting the links...
if you can't handle being around people who are different then you belong in an institution somewhere under a doctor's care
Handle it? Sure. Want it? Not always.
If you get a group of just men, or a group of just women together, the chemistry tends to be very different from a mixed group. That can be enjoyable. I like women, but sometimes it's just relaxing to hang out with a bunch of guys.
A plain reading of the Constitution guarantees freedom of association. Period. It doesn't state conditions or make weird exceptions. The current legal situation is the result of tortured reasoning that started during the 1960s hysteria around racial issues.
You may think I need to be institutionalized. But sometimes I just want to drink a beer with the guys - in a place where there isn't a cat-fight going on at the next table. Is that really too much to ask?
p.s. Of course, the rabbit hole goes deeper. If you grant freedom of association, then some people will want hetero-only, gay-only, white-only, black-only, whatever-only establishments. The very idea sends SJWs into seizures, but really: so what?
a_random_guy at October 9, 2015 9:41 AM
This is why it is so odious when groups of young white women shoulder their way into gay bars, grabbing men's crotches, yelling at drag queens performing and worse, as if everyone is going to be overjoyed that the coo kids have deigned to show
This is a really really good point. A bachelorette party is now being planned for me, and one of my friends was like, "OMG let's go to a GAAAAAY BAR, you guys!" I was like, "Ummmm noooo. Let's not subject them to that."
I go to gay bars with my friends pretty often. But the idea of going to a gay bar as an exotic safari and an "OMG craaaaaazy experience" is just gross.
sofar at October 9, 2015 10:30 AM
If you get a group of just men, or a group of just women together, the chemistry tends to be very different from a mixed group.
And sometimes there are practical reasons for separating the sexes. I go to ladies-only martial arts events quite a bit.
It's not about having a "safe space," because it's not as if we have problems training with men (in fact, most of us are the only woman at our respective schools). But it is nice to get all the women in our region in one place with no dudes, because it gives us something we otherwise would never have: Instructors teaching techniques that work better for women, the ability to practice those techniques without a 250-lb guy deciding, 'screw the technique, I'm just gonna smash you,' and the luxury of sparring with SEVERAL women in your weight class (so that you can actually prepare for competition).
I don't see a practical reason for separating yoga classes by gender/race, but I could be wrong (I don't do yoga).
sofar at October 9, 2015 10:42 AM
The very idea sends SJWs into seizures, but really: so what?
Faster, please!
I R A Darth Aggie at October 9, 2015 11:17 AM
It seems to operate out of a house in a residential neighborhood, regardless, their website describes them as a business
http://rainierbeachyoga.com/tuition/
"
TUITION
New Student Special:
$35/unlimited month (drop-in classes only.)
We want yoga to be an inclusive practice, and we also want Rainier Beach Yoga to be a sustainable business that supports the community for a long time! With that in mind we created a tuition structure that serves as much of the community as possible.
"
I'm no lawyer, but it strikes me they are likely a public accomodation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_accommodations
And if so, may not legally discriminate on the basis of race.
jerry at October 9, 2015 12:45 PM
The implication behind blacks needing a "safe space" is that white people are dangerous.
The violent crime stats suggest otherwise.
Patrick at October 9, 2015 1:09 PM
"A plain reading of the Constitution guarantees freedom of association. Period. It doesn't state conditions or make weird exceptions. The current legal situation is the result of tortured reasoning that started during the 1960s hysteria around racial issues."
That's absolutely correct. Lawmakers and courts from about 1955 to the present day have willed the right to freedome of association out of existence. What's happening now is that the elites are trying to lock it in as a privilege that government can grant to favored groups as it chooses, and deny everyone else. This is what that business in the Federalist Papers about "natural rights" is all about. If you ignore the supernatural parts of the discussion, it says: We do not have rights because government chooses to grant them to us. Our rights are inherent; we have rights because we are human beings. Those rights exist at a higher level of morality than government does, and they are not government's to take away.
Cousin Dave at October 9, 2015 3:42 PM
What's this obsession society has with "safe spaces?" Isn't that what having your own residence is for?
If you don't want to be offended, don't leave home. Otherwise, welcome to the world - it's loud, crowded, competitive, offensive, and no one in it really cares about you. Having a "safe" yoga spot is not going to change that.
Conan the Grammarian at October 9, 2015 3:50 PM
Dave, lefties love sibilants. "Safe spaces" has a sibilant per syllable. Jackpot!
Billiamo at October 9, 2015 5:32 PM
People, people, people. Where is your empathy? 95% of the yoga ads feature skinny white girls. Some of our more sensitive people of color may not want to cross that line and be accused of cultural appropriation. But they still want to try yoga.
Canvasback at October 9, 2015 5:57 PM
Seriously? This is how dumbed down and propagandized the Left has become. They're now so dumbed down that the idea of reasoning with the Left is gone. Get ready for a civil-war.
MnemonicMike at October 9, 2015 6:02 PM
Invading queer people of color yoga classes is at the top of the conservative white male patriarchy's "to-do" list.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at October 9, 2015 6:42 PM
Well, Gog, it was the hot topic at the last meeting.
Conan the Grammarian at October 9, 2015 7:40 PM
I'm all for male-only, female-only, black-only, trans-only, whatever-only social events if people want them. I think people should have the right. They don't, however, have the right to not be deemed assholes by some of the others.
Personally I get it, I like it sometimes, not all the times.
NicoleK at October 10, 2015 12:47 AM
"Well, Gog, it was the hot topic at the last meeting."
I really need to keep up with the memos.
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at October 10, 2015 8:30 AM
Rainier Beach Yoga in Seattle
Never thought I'd see my neighborhood mentioned in a blog item here. Actually, I live in Upper Rainier Beach -- the ridge running along the southern edge of Rainier Beach -- which is starting to be dubbed "Rainier View" (the houses on the south side of the ridge do have a beautiful view of Mt. Rainier.) Most of the gang-related murders happen down in the flats, but there was a recent murder in a parking lot up here (although technically it was in Skyway, an unincorporated part of King County on the ridge to the east of Upper Rainier Beach.)
If you ever visit Seattle and have time, be sure to visit Kubota Garden, which is partway up the ridge. It's a beautiful gem of a garden that many Seattleites don't know about. During all the walks I've taken there during the past 25 years, I've seen countless wedding photo shoots, but never once encountered a gay yoga class.
JD at October 10, 2015 11:42 AM
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