VicyMay 28, 2023
Gregor

How to (not) be a mentor to a marginalized person

3 key lessons I took away from a 1h coaching session with @KimCrayton1

1. The line between mentoring and gaslighting a marginalized person is thin
2. Being a mentor is like feeding a hungry person
3. My mentee is a target for people who wish me harm

Here is a post with more details and examples for each point: https://dev.to/gr2m/how-to-not-be-a-mentor-to-a-marginalized-person-mpb

How to (not) be a mentor to a marginalized person

3 key lessons I took away from a 1h coaching session with Kim Crayton. The line between...

DEV Community 👩‍💻👨‍💻
Feb 16, 2023 at 11:41pmWeb
Show threadKim Crayton ~ Her/SheFeb 17, 2023
@gregor When adopting a prioritize the most vulnerable while minimizing harm ethos you must consider that there will always be barriers between your privilege & your desire to help & it is that space in between where you have the greatest potential for being of service & causing harm
Show threadGregorFeb 17, 2023

@KimCrayton1 I wish there was a name for this space. I feel like it’s talked about a lot, it would help to name it to make it less ambiguous.

Thank your for all your teachings and all the work you are doing đź’›

Show threadKim Crayton ~ Her/SheFeb 17, 2023
@gregor now that’s a good idea. Give me a few days to come up with it 👍🏾
Show threadKim Crayton ~ Her/SheFeb 17, 2023
@gregor what just popped in my head was “zone of privilege”
Show threadGregorFeb 17, 2023
@KimCrayton1 or "zone of potential" ... doesn't vibe right. But the more I think about it the more I wish there was a name.
Show threadKim Crayton ~ Her/SheFeb 17, 2023
@gregor due to whiteness’s ability to ONLY be casted as hero/victim, never the villain, “zone of potential” would play into white saviorism, “I’m a good white person”, and white comfort…whereas “zone of privilege” keeps the focus where it should be, on whiteness always asking itself where does your “privilege” benefit or harm “others”