Holding Space: A Storytelling Approach to Trampling Diversity and Inclusion

by Aminata Cairo

In Holding Space Aminata Cairo presents her own, unique vision in the promotion of inclusion that far surpasses the standard diversity & inclusion approach. She grounds her work in indigenous knowledge, the blues aesthetics, holy hip hop, and Caribbean and black feminist theories. Hailing from her Surinamese roots, her Native American nurturing, and academic training she uses personal stories to explore the themes and steps on a way to a more inclusive community. She engages her audience utilizing storytelling, with the ultimate goal of creating a new story, collectively. She challenges the audience to take a closer look at themselves and each other, raising the question what it really takes to collectively create an environment of equality and validation. It is about us, all of us, is her message, as she forces us to feel, hear, and own that. This book is not a reading, it is an experience.

Aminata Cairo is an anthropologist, psychologist, educator, storyteller, and “love-worker”. She is an independent consultant “who works with people”. She is the former lector of Inclusive Education at The Hague University of Applied Sciences. She was the first and only research professor of African descent in the Netherlands. Born in the Netherlands to Surinamese parents she left for the US at age 18 where she pursued her academic career. She returned to the Netherlands after 30 years and obtaining two Master's degrees and a Ph.D. In the Netherlands she utilizes her academic, community activist and artist skills to make a difference and has a special affinity for the stories that are overlooked, silenced or marginalized.

Genres: Nonfiction

303 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2021

Reviews

[Devika Chotoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very generous offering of personal stories and lessons generated from lived experience, while simultaneously addressing the politics of the "dominant/other" narrative with the keyquestion of what it means to hold space for eachother. Definitely a relief to read about this topic in simple language and find complexity in the content.

[Ikram Taouanza · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favourite academia right now. Aminata feels and sees the struggle, without becoming a "gezellige" diversity-expert. She dives deeper into the question what it means to be human in a world where we've built classification systems for humans. And all of that written in a eloquent and relatable manner:

"My goal is to alter the space so we can hold it together the way it is meant to be. Engaging this space, then, requires restraint, compassion, and to find humanity in the offending parties within the space. This is not always easy to do, especially when the offending behavior is extremely grievous. There is a reason why they call this emotional labor. There is a reason why I call this love-work." Aminata Caïro

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

In het midden gedeelte was ze me even kwijt maar zeker de hoofdstukken in het eind gedeelte hebben me wel gepakt

[Nina Adriaanse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mostly amazing. Sometimes a bit too 'zweverig' for my taste, but still 5 stars. Highly recommended!

[Wilmie Voortman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Voor de boodschap van het boek, staat er naar mijn smaak te vaak ‘ik’. Daarbij heb ik moeite met een aanname die wordt gedaan dat het opvoeden van kinderen minder moeilijk is voor de ouders als ze wit zijn. Armoede is het echte probleem en als we echt iets willen doen aan ruimte maken voor iedereen dan moeten we daar beginnen.

[Caleb Romoser · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic and transformative read! Dr. Cairo works through her unique perspective on the dominant/other paradigm of our relationships and systems through her signature stories and approachable theory.

[Monique Van hest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lekker geschreven doorspekt mer persoonlijke anekdotes

[Kathleen Laforce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boek vol levenslessen vanuit verhalen: "Our stories can co-exist". Gran tangi.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can not recommend this book enough.

[Bete Boe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Viel een beetje tegen, veel herhaling, maar wel goede informatie

[Yuli · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting for me to read since I have an affiliation with both anthropology and Suriname, and I liked many of the ideas and stories, but at some point felt a bit repetitive.