The rummage for refuge
| Objective: To play with the concept of privacy by building a blanket fort! |
Duration: 15 to 45 minutes
Material:
- Blankets, cushions, sheets
- Chairs, settee or other supports
Instructions:
Being with people is often very pleasant, but sometimes you can feel the need to be alone and have your private space. Do you think it's important to have your privacy? What can it do for you? What if you reclaimed your privacy by building a blanket fort to help you think about this concept?
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Find where to build your refuge. Walk around your house to find the best place to build a blanket fort. Your bedroom can do the trick, but if you think another place would be better and you get permission, even better!
Build your refuge. Build your fort by placing blankets and sheets on chairs or a couch. Put another blanket on the floor and fill the cabin with pillows for a comfy refuge. Don't forget to leave yourself an exit! You can even get snacks, books and toys to be as cozy as possible.
Reconnect with yourself in your refuge. Now that you're comfortable in your refuge, take a moment for yourself. Enjoy the peace and quiet of your refuge. You can think about these questions: Are there things you can only think about when you have privacy? Is it sometimes necessary to have privacy by spending time alone? Are there people who never need privacy? Does privacy necessarily allow for peace and quiet? Why or why not?
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Bonus: Invite another person into your refuge. Ask them how they feel in your refuge and observe how you feel. Is it different from when you were alone? You can ask yourself: Is it possible to have privacy even when someone else is with you? Is it better to be alone than in poor company? Why or why not? |
This comic strip is reproduced with permission from the philosophy columns of our community partner Les Explorateurs magazine. It was produced in collaboration with our team at the Institute of Philosophy, Citizenship and Youth.
| Tricks for tots: If you have a stuffed animal or a toy that you especially like, you can bring it with you into your refuge! While you are relaxing together, think about whether you would be the same person if your favourite stuffy were different. Are there times when you prefer to be alone, without it? Is your favourite stuffed animal a person? Why or why not? |
| Tips for teens: To take your thinking even further, you can think about the possibility of finding refuge with others who have had similar experiences to yours. For some feminist or anti-racist activists, it might be helpful to offer people who are victims of sexism or racism "non-mixed" spaces where they can exchange with others who understand their experiences of discrimination because they are also victims of it. Are there experiences that can only be shared with people who have had similar kinds of experiences? Is it important to have spaces where only people who have had a certain type of experience can meet? Do some social groups have easier access to the public sphere than others? |
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