CRC Staff Makes a Difference through Social Media
A new and growing social media platform has allowed people to have deep conversations with other professionals from different fields and geographical locations, making difficult conversations easier. Clubhouse is an audio-only platform where users attend rooms to discuss and learn about a variety of topics. In the room, there is a stage, where moderators of the room have the mic and can freely speak. The audience is at the bottom, where people can only listen. There is a “raise hand” option if they would like to be brought up to the stage and speak. Each account has their picture, name, and bio. All accounts are connected to outside accounts, such as Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn, so this legitimizes each account.
Community Resource Center’s Domestic Violence Education and Prevention Manager, Luis Canseco, has been using Clubhouse to connect with other like-minded people. There are many networks, but the one he feels most connected to is called “Amigos Club: Latinx Unite, Network, & Fun.” Luis says “the fact that people are not being looked at through video helps them be less shy or nervous about speaking in public, which gives them confidence to speak openly and freely.”
Recently, Luis was introduced by the admin of the network and allowed to speak about what he does. Participants ranged in age from 25 to 45 and were from different parts of the country. Luis spoke about the importance of holding spaces for men to talk about manhood and masculinity, as well as what is healthy in the Latinx community. The people who were on stage shared their own experiences growing up in a “Machista” culture, how that affected them and how they are still unlearning these ideologies and behaviors. The men on the stage agreed about the importance of providing a space for men to talk things out. Luis says “we are experiencing the highest rate in history of men dying by suicide, I think men need this space more than ever, with the opportunity to learn how to be healthier for themselves, families and communities.”
Even though the topic was about masculinity, the room was open to everyone. A few women were in the room and took part in learning about masculinity. A few mothers shared about their experiences raising boys, and they urged other women to learn about this because women may perpetrate a “machismo” culture.
Working in the field of domestic violence prevention, Luis’ mission is to end gender-based violence, all the violence that exists towards women, girls and non-binary people. His job is to approach the root causes of violence, such as poverty, lack of resources, lack of education and generational traumas such as “Machismo.” The best way to confront this issue is with education and resources, humility and embracing a healthy masculinity. These conversations aid his work at CRC in multiple ways, by getting people to talk about this reality, by educating people, and by providing a space where people can practice vulnerability. Luis says he “personally loves these types of community conversations because people’s experiences and stories are so rich and enlightening. It’s a collective learning approach or dialog-based education approach, where we all learn.”
If you are interested in learning more about CRC’s domestic violence prevention presentation, please contact Luis Canseco at lcanseco@crcncc.org.
