Public Invited to Join Town’s Liberatory Visioning Project

Source: amherstma.gov

The Town of Amherst Department of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion annouces the launch of the Liberatory Visioning Project, an initiative aimed at creating a more inclusive and welcoming community for all residents. This process is designed to bring members of the town together to develop a shared vision through dialogue sessions and a community survey. 

The town will be leading this project in partnership with Dr. Barbara J. Love, who is a local author, speaker, and consultant on liberation and transformation as well as Professor Emerita of Social Justice Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Liberatory Visioning was created by Love as a framework for justice, equity, belonging, and inclusion with the overall aim of creating communities that work well for everyone. 

“This project is an essential step towards addressing the harm caused by systemic oppression and ensures that Amherst policies, services, and practices are free from bias and discrimination,” said Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pamela Young. “We are so grateful to be working with Dr. Love on this important initiative.” 

The idea for the Liberatory Visioning Project stemmed from the Community Safety Working Group (CSWG) and was outlined as a recommendation in their Final Report Part B in October 2021. The report emphasizes the importance of dismantling white supremacy, healing the harm it has inflicted, and creating a community characterized by equity, fairness, justice, and liberation. This initiative represents a commitment to engaging in meaningful dialogue about racial justice, repair, and healing within our community. 

Town members from all segments of the community are encouraged to share their vision of a liberatory community. The liberatory visioning process encourages community members to reflect on the impact of the intersectionality of their various social identities on their experiences as town residents and propose solutions that help to create a liberatory community for all members of the Town of Amherst.

Dialogue Sessions
The Town is hosting three hybrid community dialogue sessions, where residents will have the opportunity to share their thoughts, experiences, and ideas about creating a more equitable community. The details of each session are as follows: 

• Session 1: Thursday, February 27 from 6 to 7:30 pm
  • In person: Glass Room in the basement of the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk) 
  • Virtual via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81777356617

• Session 2: Wednesday, March 5 from 5 to 6:30 pm
  • In person: Cafeteria of Amherst Regional Middle School (170 Chestnut Street) 
  • Virtual via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81777356617

• Session 3: Wednesday, March 12 from 5 to 6:30 pm
  • In person: Town Room of Town Hall (4 Boltwood Ave) 
  • Virtual via Zoom: https://amherstma.zoom.us/j/81777356617

The Town is actively seeking community members to serve as facilitators for these dialogue sessions. Facilitators will play a crucial role in guiding conversations, encouraging participation, and capturing key themes and ideas. Mandatory facilitator training will be held on Thursday, February 20th from 5:00 to 6:30 pm in the Glass Room of the Bangs Community Center to review facilitator guidelines and agendas for the sessions. Refreshments will be served. If you agree to serve as a facilitator, you must be able to attend at least one of the dialogue sessions at which you will be partnered with another facilitator. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend the training to learn more about the facilitation process and how to contribute to this important project.

Community Survey
In addition to the dialogue sessions, the town invites all residents to share their vision by completing an online Liberatory Visioning Survey. The survey aims to capture a wide range of perspectives and insights on how the Town of Amherst can move forward in creating a liberatory community that works well for everyone. The survey is open through Friday, March 14, 2025. Complete the survey here: www.amherstma.gov/LVPsurvey

Ideas shared during the dialogue series and through the survey will be summarized and shared with the Town of Amherst community. Members of the community will be invited to review and comment on this summary. The final summary and reactions to the summary will then be shared with the Town of Amherst government including the Town Council and Town Manager. The summary will also be published available on the town website. 

“We welcome all members of the Amherst community to this important initiative,” said Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “All voices are vital in shaping a community where everyone feels valued and empowered. Together, we can work towards dismantling barriers and fostering an environment that embodies the principles of equity, justice, and liberation.” 

Learn more about the Town of Amherst Liberatory Visioning Project at: www.amherstma.gov/3834/Liberatory-Visioning-Project