#78. Speaking Up to Someone in Power

This Conversation Will Help You…

1. Determine if it’s safe to say something
2. State the issue with regard to the person being in power

Think About This First

• This conversation follows up Conversations #76 and #77.
• This conversation references a video made by Jay Smooth at Ill Doctrine blog, about "How to Tell People They Sound Racist." You may want to review the video before starting the conversation. 
• This conversation comes directly from experiences had by P.O.P! members

Having the Conversation

Start here:

What makes the situation different if you want to speak up about something someone said but they have authority or power over you?

Does it make a difference if they are your boss, teacher or parent?

What do you think would be the most difficult?

Why? Are there situations in which you think it wouldn’t be okay to say something?

What would some consequences be if they got angry?

Continue:

Have you seen this video? (link) He has an idea about how you can call someone out, and this video is about race, but do you think it could be used in other situations?

Are there things you relate to with this video?

What do you think the benefit is with calling out someone’s action rather than calling them racist/sexist/homophobic/etc?

Keep Talking:  

What are ways you could call someone out while still respecting their power or authority?

Are there ways you think you could defuse the situation?

Have there been times in which you’ve had to do this before?

How did it work for you?

What would you hope for, in a best-case scenario?

What would a worst-case scenario be?

Are there things you could do to help make it have a better outcome?

Are there things that you feel are important to bring up regardless of whether the person will like it or not?

I’m thinking about things that are illegal. What do you think?