By CHERYL ROMANO/YachatsNews
YACHATS — Two local activist groups are hosting a talk and day-long workshop this month featuring a noted author/psychologist.
Roxy Manning, a California clinical psychologist and social justice advocate, will be the featured speaker in two separate events:
“Strengthening Democracy through Nonviolent Dialogue” is the topic at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, at the Yachats Commons. Admission is by donation.
“Using Compassion to Create a More Just World” is the theme of a day-long workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, at Yachats Community Presbyterian Church. Admission is by donation. Attendees are asked to register by Friday, Oct. 4, by email to ysj_conference@charter.net.
Manning’s appearances are courtesy of Yachatians for Social Justice, the anti-racism group that demonstrates each Saturday downtown, and View the Future, the local land conservancy nonprofit.
Author of How to Have Anti-Racist Conversations, Manning is a certified trainer in nonviolent communication, and co-host of a podcast called Fierce Compassion. She regularly leads workshops on anti-racism, nonviolent communication, and social change in the U.S. and internationally. More information is available on Manning’s website.
Saturday’s day-long workshop is focused on “how compassion can be a powerful tool for creating lasting social change,” according to an event poster from the two Yachats groups. The event is also described as an interactive experience to “introduce you to key concepts and practices.”
The workshop will include a two-hour pause for attendees to have lunch on their own. Water, coffee and tea will be provided.
Last July, Yachatians for Social Justice hosted a conference on racial understanding. The Manning weekend has grown out of that with View the Future brought in as a co-sponsor.
“This has come together very quickly,” said Sally Marie, an organizer with the justice group. While not one of the weekly demonstrators, she attended last year’s event. “When I learned that Dr. Manning was coming to Oregon, I took this idea” of a talk and workshop to the two sponsoring groups, she said.
The Saturday morning demonstrators, who stand peacefully along U.S. Highway 101 for an hour with anti-racist placards, often encounter hostility from some people who drive or walk by.
“People on the street sometimes argue with them, or confront them, and they don’t know how to respond,” Marie said. Manning’s two appearances in Yachats will educate on “how to go about that in a non-violent way.”
Marie, who has taken five online classes with Manning, noted that the workshop group will be limited to 100 attendees. She urged those interested to register by the Friday, Oct. 4 deadline.
“Everybody who wants our world to be a better place for all of us can learn a low about how to make that happen,” she said.
