Conflict can be scary. In western cultures that centre white supremacy, direct and assertive responses to conflict are not considered the norm, and many people are not raised in homes where conflict is addressed in healthy and meaningful ways. Current responses to harm and conflict are rooted in colonialism, white supremacy, and misogyny, and seek to uphold hierarchies, power and domination, and are focused on retribution and repeating cycles of harm, violence, and trauma. Feedists for Fat Liberation recognizes that the current responses to harm and conflict which are accepted as normal in mainstream society do not seek to address the underlying causes of harm and conflict. By not addressing the root causes of harm and conflict, this creates an environment where conflict and harm are likely to be repeated. FFL envisions a world where there is liberation for all, and part of working toward a more liberated future includes transforming how conflict and harm is addressed, recognizing that we have all caused harm and we have all been harmed.
FFL’s Conflict Resolution Toolkit is intended to serve as a framework to guide FFL members through moments of conflict, so as to ensure that conflicts are an opportunity for growth. We recognize that conflict is a natural occurrence, and that oftentimes, conflict represents an unmet need. Through engaging in open conversations and holding ourselves and one another accountable, this may help mitigate conflict. We also recognize the importance of addressing conflict as soon as it presents itself, and providing the resources and environments that will enable conflict to serve as an area for growth. The toolkit may support FFL members to achieve this, and it is intended to be used alongside the judgment of FFL organizers. The toolkit is also intended to be a living document, and will be revised and updated as needed. The toolkit outlines how to identify conflict, along with ways to address it, and tools to support this to take place.
You can download FFL’s Conflict Resolution Toolkit here: https://www.fatliberation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/FFL-Conflict-Resolution-Toolkit.pdf