Diversity

The U.S.G.L. Diversity Task Force Diversity Modules - Thelema for All

The Thelema For All Diversity Modules are educational packets created by the Thelema for All Diversity Module team, a subgroup of the U.S.G.L. Diversity Task Force.  The Thelema for All modules are intended to be a discussion and reflection tool and are designed to be completed by a small group or an individual in 1-2 hours. Each module focuses on a single topic surrounding diversity and inclusion and is supported by one resource, five discussion prompts, a self-reflection question, and a feedback survey. The resource can be a video, podcast, or article. The five discussion prompts are used to generate conversation about the single module topic. The self-reflection question is designed to relate the material back to Thelema.

Contact your local body leadership for more information about discussion groups or access to a module for self study.

Racial Diversity Module 1: Racial Injustice

In this foundational module, participants are encouraged to discuss ways to have hard conversations in light of fraternal bonds and explore the definitions of privilege and injustice. The resource video centers around the importance of first understanding a problem before trying to fix it. Participants will discuss ways to reduce marginalization in their own spaces and in their communities. The module finishes with a challenge to each individual to measure the material in light of Liber Tzaddi, verses 22 and 40-44.

Racial Diversity Module 2: Implicit Racial Bias

This module is centered around a 2019 documentary that explores the question “Can science alert us to bias?” In the video, different tests are administered and the results are examined. Participants will begin by discussing the difference between unconscious bias and prejudice before being asked to take the “Symbolic Racism Scale” test and consider its effectiveness in determining racial bias. The module wraps up with discussion reviewing the material in light of Liber Oz.

Racial Diversity Module 3: 13th Amendment

Passed in January 1865 and ratified in December 1865, the 13th Amendment has become a source of controversy as some believe it provides a loophole for what it was originally designed to abolish: slavery. Participants are asked to consider the impact of the amendment and its effects on policymaking and community. The discussion will include terms such as generational trauma and political advantage. Self-reflection is always a part of these modules, and in this one the participants are asked to consider the amendment and its impacts in light of the U.S.G.L. Mission and Planning Statements.

Racial Diversity Module 4: Systemic Racism

This hard-hitting module starts with a conversation about the meanings of injustice and systemic racism. Participants will explore the way history has been written and consider the existence of bias. One prompt suggests understanding what injustice truly is, finding one thing within an individual’s grasp to change, and taking the action to change it. As a Thelemite, you will be challenged to reflect on a James Baldwin quote that specifically targets self-deception.

Racial Diversity Module 5: Antiracism

This module utilizes a podcast that explores the concept of antiracism and what it means to be an effective ally. Participants will explore the concept of microaggressions and how they can creep into our conversations and interactions with others. Module participants, whether part of a larger group discussion or an individual self-study, will be asked to look at some of the terms we use in magic and esotericism and decide whether these terms should continue to be used or be replaced.

Racial Diversity Module 6: Cognitive Roots of Bias

This module begins by encouraging participants to take the Harvard Implicit Bias test and discuss the possible assumptions we make about race and gender. The prompts encourage conversation surrounding “own-race bias”, categorization, and tokenism. Participants will explore how unconscious bias can form and the areas of our culture where it might be discovered, and lastly will reflect on the materials in light of Liber Librae.

Racial Diversity Module 7: Social Constructs, Part 1

***Available for the small group discussion format only***

In this module, small groups will examine the concept of race and how assumptions can be made about an individual based on their physical characteristics. The participants are asked to consider their own identities and how social classification of race has affected them. This module is part 1 of 2. This module is only available for facilitated small group discussions.

Racial Diversity Module 8: Social Constructs, Part 2

***Available for the small group discussion format only***

In this module, the investigation into the concept of race continues by examining non-physical traits that connect people, the advantages and disadvantages created by the concepts of race, and a challenge to think about our society if we could unmake race. The module ends with a self-reflection question asking the participants to think of Thelemic figures that we give the most attention to and how that influences the diversity in one’s local body. This module is part 2 of 2. This module is only available for facilitated small group discussions.

Racial Diversity Module 9: White Supremacy Culture

The White Supremacy Culture module encourages participants to look closely at the self-identifying “whiteness” of our communities. The discussion will start with prompts asking each participant to identify core values and behaviors and how practice and belief reinforce each other. Lastly, participants will be asked to reflect on ATU VII in light of the group discussion.

Racial Diversity Module 10: Dr. King

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is well known for his “I Have a Dream” speech, but in this module, we use two other speeches that are not as well known. In these, Dr. King uncovers other issues and advocates for the Black community. The participants will be asked to look at the current system and how it works for and against the rights and freedoms of the people. They will look at policies of the 1960s and how these might be showing up today.

Racial Diversity Module 11: Transformational Activism

This module is an introduction to transformational activism. Transformational is defined as a thorough change to what we see or experience. The video’s presenter lays out four steps to achieving this change. The participants will be asked to discuss the concepts and self-reflect about their role in creating change and eliminating implicit bias.

Racial Diversity Module 12: Racism in Esoteric Thought

This module begins by examining the history and use of the terms “white” and “black” in science and in esoteric thought. The participants will then discuss the polarizing phrases and terms used within the Thelemic community. The module wraps up with a self-reflection question challenging participants to examine their own use of terms and conversations that might happen within their own local spaces with visitors and guests. A guided meditation written by the team is also included in this module as a way to explore the spectrum of color and think beyond black and white.

LGBTQIA+ Module 1: Queer Language 101: Attraction

This module explores different types of sexual and romantic attraction and introduces the terms used in the LGBTQIA+ community. The prompts help underline the importance of self-identification. The self-reflection question reviews the material in light of Liber Librae.

LGBTQIA+ Module 2: Queer Language 102: Gender

This module explores past and current vocabulary used to describe gender and gender identity. Go beyond the binary with a special gender adventure feature included with the slides. Learn how and when to ask about gender identity and what to do when a mistake is made. The self-reflection question reviews the material in light of the Commentary on Liber AL vel Legis I:51.

LGBTQIA+ Module 5: The History of Pronouns

This module explores the history of pronouns and how words can change their meaning over time. The resource video examines how language shapes our environment and focuses on arguments from the 1600s surrounding the use of “you” as a singular pronoun. The module ends with a self-reflection question examining terms used in the Anthem of the Gnostic Mass.

LGBTQIA+ Module 6: Queer History

In discussions of Queer history, the Stonewall Riots usually take center stage. This module focuses on events prior to and following Stonewall. Explore the beginnings of the Daughters of Bilitis and the Mattachine Society, whose founder, Harry Hay, was the organist at Agape Lodge. The self-reflection question encourages the participants to think about the material in light of Liber Oz.

LGBTQIA+ 11: The Queer and the Divine

Queerness and homosexuality are viewed differently across various religious communities. The video resources share two stories of how individuals reconcile their spirituality with their sexuality. One recognizes sexuality as a gift, and the other sees the experience of being in two places at once, like quantum particles. The module finishes with the self-reflection question that centers on Crowley’s revelation of the importance of queer sexuality.

Consent Module 1: Establishing and Honoring Boundaries, Part One

The first part of this two-part module asks the participants to examine their current boundary-setting abilities, then offers methods to improve their abilities and exercises to practice these methods. The self-reflection question explores the significance of applying boundary-setting to the accomplishment of the Great Work.

Consent Module 2: Establishing and Honoring Boundaries, Part Two

The second half of this two-part module challenges the participants to explore how they react to hearing other people’s boundaries, to understand that another person’s set boundaries may have nothing to do with you but with their own limits and space needs, and to realize that assumptions and miscommunication can cloud our perception. The self-reflection question asks the participants to consider how, as magicians, we need to be aware of our own translations of circumstances.

Accessibility 01: The Language of Disability, Part 1: Person First, Identity First

The first module of the Accessibility series examines the language around disability and accessibility. Learn about person-first language and identity-first language, demeaning vocabulary, and the Social Model of Disability, and be introduced to the concept of ableism. The module finishes by examining the content through a quote from The Confessions of Aleister Crowley: An Autohagiography.