Bread Loaf Community Guidelines

COMMUNITY COMMITMENT ON INCLUSION

With a rich literary and intellectual tradition, “Bread Loaf” (including Bread Loaf Translators’ Conference, Bread Loaf Environmental Conference, and Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference) endeavors to bring together writers at all stages of their careers. We are enriched by our differences and united in our common passion for our art. Those at Bread Loaf have a right to an experience free from discrimination and harassment. Our intention is to create a supportive and inclusive environment that demonstrates its appreciation for a diverse participant body.

Amid the Green Mountains is a wonderful place to develop relationships with people different from us. Inevitably, we will make errors, but we are committed to doing our best, in good faith, to listen, to learn, to correct ourselves, and to treat others with respect and dignity.

As a member of this community of writers, we acknowledge the power of words and our obligation to use that power conscientiously as practitioners of this craft. We commit to critically engaging with the implications of our language in both our personal interactions and in creative and critical work. The richness of the Bread Loaf community is in the diversity of our perspectives and experiences, which shapes both the ways we hear and respond to words, thereby offering us opportunities to revise and refine framing.

MANAGING CHALLENGING CONTENT AND INTERACTIONS

At Bread Loaf, we are committed to honest and open dialogue around published works and works in progress but we must acknowledge that some content contain words or behavior that may offend others. A sincere commitment to the process requires the willingness to engage in difficult conversations. The following is intended as guidance for interactions when one or more members of the community are harmed. If you are here for the first time, please refer to both our Newcomer’s Guide, regarding what to expect in Workshop, and to our Blue Parlor Tips on how to prepare for public readings.

Problematic Content. What may be objectionable to one person may not be objectionable to another. Some words and phrases have historically been used to demean others, and we may not always appreciate the historical roots of such language. As a community, we look for opportunities to understand and be responsive to the impact of our language. Doing so allows us to become both more intentional artists and more intentionally inclusive. We also recognize that individuals who have been impacted by language should not have to initiate reflective dialogue. We embrace the opportunity to invite reflection and dialogue when needed. As we do so, we hope you will be mindful of the following:

• Someone may choose to include an excerpt in a class, lecture, or workshop even though they are aware it may cause offense. Placing the writing in context and explaining why it has been included, may help to keep the attention on the valid reasons for presenting the work.

• If offensive material is presented without explanation, a reader or listener should feel free to either 1) raise the issue with the speaker and/or with someone on Faculty or the administration; or 2) remain silent, since no one is required to share their opinions; and/or 3) remove themselves from the situation (which could mean leaving the room).

• In Workshop, judging the intention of work in progress can be particularly challenging, since by definition, such work is not complete. One should always begin as a generous reader understanding that tone and purpose are not fully formed. One should ask questions rather than assuming a writer has meant to cause harm. In discussion, one should raise the difficulty with the content, while also recognizing that, in the end, it is the writer’s prerogative to make the final decision about what’s to be included in their work.

• Words and texts generate different feelings in different people. Content can be ideologically offensive, demeaning or harmful in its implications about individuals or communities, and/or viscerally impactful if it evokes past trauma for readers or listeners.

• No one can know what might give rise to a traumatic response. Providing a content warning is a courtesy when the work contains graphic or explicit descriptions of violence or abuse. Content warnings are verbal or written notices that flag the contents of the material that follows, so readers or listeners can prepare themselves to adequately engage or, if necessary, disengage for their own wellbeing.

If You Have Been Offended or Witness Offense

• If you’re comfortable doing so, speak to the person who caused harm. It might be easiest to do so privately. Choose a space where you feel comfortable. If for any reason you feel you cannot raise the issue but would like to, ask for support from a friend or faculty/staff member.

• When speaking to the person, try to be clear about how and which words and actions caused offense.

• At any point (before, after, or instead of talking to the person who gave offense), the incident can be brought to the attention of the Director, Assistant Director, or a member of faculty/staff. Bread Loaf will strive to help address conflicts between community members that are disruptive to the learning or community-building experience.

If You Are Told You Have Caused Offense

• Often we want to defend or explain ourselves, but first, we must listen. Do not speak until the person who approached you is finished, even if you feel your words have been misinterpreted. This is not an argument, but rather an opportunity to hear their perspective.

• The person who raises an issue may not want to take part in an extended discussion. Naming a harm does not necessarily mean the person wants to fully engage. They may feel anxious or uncomfortable. If you don’t understand their comment, ask for clarification. If you are surprised by their reaction, feel free to simply listen and ask for time to consider it and respond later. If the person who approached you is not open to that, respect their answer.

• Don’t make light of how they feel or be defensive or dismissive. If you start to feel this way, try to shift your response to an empathetic one. Challenge yourself to respond in a way that will be deemed restorative.

• Consider the possible power dynamics. It likely took great courage for the person to approach you. Thank the person for bringing this to your attention. This is especially encouraged for Faculty, who should acknowledge their power and model respectful behavior.

• Apologize. Let the person know you were unaware of the effect of your words or actions, that they’ve given you something to think about, and that this will inform your actions in the future.

GENDER INCLUSIVITY AND AWARENESS REMINDERS

As a community, we commit to fostering an environment that is mindful and respectful of gender diversity. We recognize that assuming and attributing gender to people can cause harm. We cannot assume that every member of our community will feel comfortable or safe sharing pronouns, that every member of our community uses gender pronouns, or that every member of our community is at a place where they have determined which pronouns feel most affirming. We also appreciate that sharing pronouns allows some members of our community an opportunity to openly establish an expectation for how we should refer to them.

• When introducing yourself, include your name, as well as your pronouns (if it feels comfortable and affirming to do so).

• Ask others how they would like you to refer to them. Some members of the community may share names and pronouns, while others may share only names. Model respect by referring to people by their requested name and/or pronoun.

• Use a person’s name instead of a pronoun until you are able to use the correct pronoun consistently.

• Consider “everybody” or “folks” or “people” or “this person” rather than using “ladies and gentlemen” or “boys and girls” or “he and she.”

• If you make a mistake, graciously accept correction or correct yourself. Apologize. Here’s what you can say: “Thank you for reminding me. I apologize and will try to use the correct pronoun for you in the future.”