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Focused Leadership ~ Reflections from the USSF

Analysis & Reflections | Balder Rosado | Wednesday August 18, 2010 11:10

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Focused Leadership ~ Reflections from the USSF

Hi, my name is Balder, but during the United States Social Forum, I went by Elegost or Rudy.  I am an active member of FIERCE. I attend the USSF because it was a great chance for me and for FIERCE to meet new people outside of New York and to really connect with activists and organizers from around the nation.  It was also an amazing chance to learn new things from the huge selection of workshops that were going on.


I attended the Queer People’s Movement Assembly, The Performance of Nightwind and Theatre of the Oppressed, Enough is Enough Basta Ya!, and two Rights To The City events. 

 

All of those workshops were unique in their own way: The Queer PMA had such a power to it that none other workshop I attended had. I felt so empowered from seeing so many people come together and talk about real issues.

 

 The performance of Nightwind was a good performance, the actor was well-trained and skilled and his sharing of centering and breathing techniques was helpful and useful to remember.

 

FIERCE is also part of Right To The City, so I was already part of the work of our local New York chapter. Seeing the national chapters come together at the USSF was a great experience. 

 


(Rickke, Balder and Ahkia at the RTTC Member Assembly.)

 

 

One of my favorite memories of the USSF was back at the Weston Hotel pool. It was the first day of the USSF and we had just participated in the long, opening march to CoBo Hall where most of the workshops and assemblies were held. It was close to closing time for the pool when security came in saying that the pool was closing and that we all had to leave. Everyone in the pool starting doing chants like "Whose pool? Our Pool" and "Security needs a raise" to help keep the pool opened longer.  It worked for about 15 minutes!  I really enjoyed that moment most of all because it showed our unity whether we were queer or straight, we all chanted for our love of the pool.

 

As a FIERCE member who had the opportunity to be in Detroit for the USSF and the Allied Media Conference, I really want to bring a contagious momentum to keep everyone involved and the centering practices to keep us calm and focused as we lead and continue building our movements. I can use the breathing activities to help keep us calm in stressful times, and I can keep the thought of unity and remember we are all in this fight for social justice and social freedom for all people.

 

Photos and videos were taken by FIERCE Media Crew Members who travelled to Detroit for the USSF.

Click here to view our USSF photo collection on flickr.

Click here for video highlights from the USSF.