About Us

Hope we believe that in order to create the world we want and need, we will have to risk hoping it's possible, step into the vulnerability of trying (and failing) to build it and believe, despite all information to the contrary, that a better world is possible. 

Self-Determination we believe in a world where no individual or organisation has power over anyone else and where it is viewed as legitimate for people to protect themselves from power over situations. Where individuals, groups and communities have the ability to decide what they need, how best to meet their needs and how to use their time and resources. Where everyone's uniqueness, within the collective is celebrated and honoured. Where people have the agency and capacity to tell their own pasts and devise their own futures. Where people of all backgrounds and experiences can participate equally in making decisions which impact them. 

Interdependence we believe in a world where people, groups and communities communicate and exchange support with each other in healthy balanced ways. Where it is possible to express both needs and limitations, and have these be honoured. Where it is understood that none of us are free until we are all free, that it takes many different strategies and that our struggles are related. 

Care we believe in a world where everyone can survive and thrive without having to prove their worth. Where what everyone needs for survival is seen as a consistent collective responsibility and where the amount of care given is proportional and specific to the harm individuals and communities have experienced. 

Accountability we believe in a world where individuals, groups and communities can make mistakes, have the impacts explained to them, participate in working out what responsibility and change looks like and then implement these decisions. Where we believe in each other's capacity for change, and lovingly hold each other responsible for changing. Where there are reasonable consequences for harmful or abusive behaviour, and also routes for repair and return. Where compassion and a desire to understand is always offered and it is also seen as an act of respect to give and receive feedback about how we could better show up to our stated values.

Joy we believe in a world where people get to experience rest, creativity and pleasure. Where we give as much thought to how we do things well, as what we are trying to do. Where we create things which people want to move towards, instead of things they want to move away from. Where there are rituals and celebrations and where people receive warm welcome.

Equity we believe in a world where imbalances of power and resources are actively redistributed. Where people give what they can and take what they need and where differences of experience are understood and accounted for. 

Scottish Histories of Resistance is one component in a web of interconnected groups and individuals, working towards this vision of the world. We believe that in order to create this vision of the world we must; create alternative positive narratives, build alternative systems for meeting our collective needs, redistribute resources, collaborate with other groups and organisations and disrupt current power structures. 

We can support all of these strategies by; 

• Bridging the gap between where information currently is and where it needs to be

• Sharing information which allows people to understand, take responsibility for and change the present

• Ensuring that information is in formats which the majority of people can access 

• Uplifting information which have been hidden or undervalued

• Holding events which embody our values and showing through example our vision of how the world can be

• Working strategically with other organisations and individuals to ensure the information we are gathering or creating meets current needs

• Accessing funding and distributing it according to need

This section outlines how we will practically embody our vision and values

Self-Determination

• When creating resources we prioritise people telling their own, their family or their communities stories and that they are part of discussions about how these resources will be used

• We prioritise sharing resources written by people with lived experience of what is being discussed

• Learning groups organise autonomously and have the ability to decide how they use SHoR resources in ways which benefit their communities 

• We support individuals, groups and communities to research or make creative work about their history and experiences. To tell these stories in ways which feel appropriate and benefit them

• We prioritise sharing information about individuals and communities who have organised in autonomous ways 

• We prioritise researching and sharing information about how power has functioned within Scottish society, and Scotland's role in global power systems 

Interdependance

• We work in collaboration with groups, communities and individuals which share, share existing resources and promote the work of others who our vision and values

• We create resources based on needs expressed by other groups and individuals

• We ask individuals and organisations who have access to knowledge and resources, to support our work, and that of our network

• We try to support, rather than replicate, work which is already happening

• We support individuals, groups and communities within our network to share knowledge, resources and creative work so that we can learn about/from each other

• We prioritise sharing information about groups, individuals and communities who have organised in collaborative and cooperative ways, both within Scotland and between Scotland and the rest of the world

Care 

• We try to ensure that people's expenses, for participating in creating SHoR resources or events are covered 

• We try to ensure that people's needs, such as accommodation, transport and childcare are covered so they can participate in SHoR research and events 

• We try to ensure that events are physically, financially and culturally accessible especially to those often excluded from learning spaces

• We try to ensure that when we are creating learning resources, it is an enjoyable and beneficial experience for everyone involved 

• We prioritise creating and sharing learning resources which are suitable to a wide range of learning needs

• We prioritise sharing information about groups, individuals and communities who have organised around care, reproductive labour and ways which honour the need for care

Accountability 

• We receive feedback from individuals and organisations, take it seriously and where possible discuss with the person/org what repair and responsibility could look like. If it is not possible to discuss with the person/group giving feedback, we consult relevant others in order to plan a process of repair. 

• We prioritise researching and sharing information about Scotland's role in imperialism, colonialism and other global injustices. 

• We prioritise researching and sharing information about power imbalance and harm within Scottish society namely around race, class, gender, physical/mental health and sexuality. 

• We prioritise sharing information about groups, individuals and communities who have organised systems which enable compassion, healing, 

Joy 

• We try to ensure that the resources and events we create are fun, engaging, beautiful and creative

• We try to ensure that our organising culture supports relationship building, self-expression, creativity and playfulness

Equity 

• We prioritise sharing information which is created by and uplifts, those most excluded from current research

• We prioritise creating information which shares the stories of people often sidelined by current research

• We try to ensure that participants in either research actively benefit from the experience. That resources created are of benefit to them/their community and that they have access to any opportunities which SHoR can offer

• When we have access to financial resources, we offer these on a sliding scale according to need 

• All of our resources and events are available on a sliding scale, according to people's economic realities. Nobody is unable to access resources or events due to lack of money