creating a better learning environment

They all agreed that writing their stories was a very emotional and an empowering experience. All of them said they had no idea they could write this sort of story. Or they would say "I don't know where this came from."

There are many techniques to start the writing process. One I often use is to read a few sentences from a story, and then have the people write whatever the reading evoked for them. They would write non-stop for 10 to 15 minutes. When we were finished writing, we would share, if we wished, our writing with the class. The class would write a piece at home for the following week, and that would be shared and work shopped. Work shopping means that the class works together, commenting and giving a critique of the work offered. It is helpful if everyone can have a copy of everyone's work.

Some people want to write only for the healing process. Most, however, write to heal and then to publish their work. If we want to publish we have to learn the rules of good writing. We can only use language to our advantage once we understand it incredibly well.

For women who have never had any power, or an opportunity to tell their stories, or a chance to be heard and understood, life writing is a powerful experience. There is justice and healing in writing our stories. There can be no justice without healing. I believe healing and justice are closely connected. It is a very political act to write and to be heard. Language is power.

I don't think our ability to learn comes into question; the question is, where can we go to inherit the power that is rightfully ours to learn the way we learn best? That is difficult in our androcentric institutions. However, we do have to survive in them, and we will find the occasional offering there. I found life writing. If we can find a way for empowerment to happen before we get there, we will survive much better.

Sharon Ferguson-Hood