We are a group of liberal lefties in Seattle who like reading. The group was started by Molly B., out of a desire to connect with other like-minded people who are interested in having conversations about social justice topics beyond a 101-level.  We have a mailing list and a Facebook page for keeping in touch.

Collectively, we come from many walks of life: queer, straight, transgender, cisgender, parents, childless, single, partnered, able-bodied, disabled, shy, outgoing, Jewish, Christian, Pagan, Atheist, Agnostic, homemakers, workers, 20s, 30s, 40s, fat, thin, white, multi-racial, middle-class, working-class, and more.

The basic tenant of the group, which sets the stage for all of our conversations and reading choices, is that ALL PEOPLE ARE WORTHY OF RESPECT.  That means that everyone has an opportunity to have their voice heard.  It means that we read books with the intention of hearing voices that are often silenced by a dominant, privileged class.  It means that we are actively looking to examine the ways in which we are privileged, and how we benefit from the oppression of others, and further: that we are actively trying to dismantle the social structures that reinforce this oppression, even (and perhaps especially) if it means that we will lose some of our own privilege in the process.

We are committed to letting ourselves be uncomfortable, and to remembering that the goal is not to agree: it is to further understand.  Growth is never comfortable, nor should it be.  We acknowledge that we can never fully understand experiences that are not our own.

We are committed to creating a definition of “safe space” that does not mean never being challenged or offended, but rather a space in which everyone has permission to ask questions, to not know the answers, and to not be judged negatively for these things.  We are committed to learning about experiences other than our own, and using this as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the variety (and commonalities) of human experiences.  We are committed to doing the work to educate ourselves, and to not rely on the voices of historically oppressed people to provide our education.  Read more about our Ground Rules.