Tapestri

There's a saying, "we're like fish in the water, who don't know that we're wet". This is a very interesting way to think about culture. It is something that you can conceptualize and identify, but is also somewhat elusive. It is hard for each of us to completely identify how our cultures shape our actions and perspectives.

At Tapestri, we work with women from all over the world. At this point, it is not possible for us to have a different staff member to represent every ethnic group in our community. This means that all of us work with women outside of our own cultures, ethnicities, languages, and religions. We have realized that we will never get to the point where we fully learn every one else's culture. Instead, it makes more sense for us to start by fully understanding our own culture, and how it shapes our values and beliefs.

What are your beliefs?

Ethnocentricity is the belief that your own ethnic group is superior, or normal, and that all other groups are abnormal. Over the years after serving many women, we have found that our job is to identify our beliefs to the point where we can understand how other groups differ, and respect those differences.

The Immigrant's Galaxy is a framework to understand the larger context that a victim is basing her choices in, no matter which culture of ethnic groups she is a part of. Hopefully, we will also have a deeper respect and appreciation for all the different circumstances and events a woman can face and survive.

Part of the socialization of the United States is to think of people as "rugged individuals," existing apart from other people and having completely independent thoughts and actions. For many people outside of the U.S., individuals are seen more in relation to the family and the community. The model of the Women's Galaxy represents the perspective that our actions and decisions go through many filters and are the result of many different levels of pressure and influence.

What influences your world?

When we work with victims, it is helpful to try to piece together an understanding of her history and perspective, keeping in mind the Galaxy. Where was she born? What kind of educational system did she use? How much of her family is with her, and how much in her country of origin? Has she survived wars, trauma, or other catastrophic events? How does she think of money - is she used to

spending it or saving it? What is the status of her documentation, is she afraid of losing it if she reports the abuse?

The key to using this model is not to think of it as a formula, but a guide to help us understand the woman who is in front of us, and give us a little more information than we are used to asking for. Hopefully, we will also have a deeper respect and appreciation for all the different circumstances and events a woman can face and survive. In combination with a trusting relationship-building process, we can arrive at a more supportive way to help her reach safety, as well as a greater understanding of the scope of violence against women.