Thinking about the Komen and Planned Parenthood issue that happened earlier this year and the Palaver Tree discussed in class... Some of the values presented from the Palaver Tree system such as no urgency, consensus, hearing from all parties, and community gatherings would have been an interesting way to examine the Komen case.
- No Urgency: Had Komen not been so quick to make such a drastic change within their funding, they may have been able to clearly look at what the ramifications of such a decision would be.
- Consensus: Again, the decision to pull funding was not a decision made by the consensus of either party involved. It was more a drastic move by Komen's ultra conservative VP.
- Hearing From All Parties: The decision to pull funding for PP had an effect on not only those seeking abortions, but those who use the breast cancer preventive services, family planning, and other women's health needs. These parties did not have the opportunity to voice their opinions on this decision.
- Community Gatherings: The Palaver Tree suggests that decisions are made by gathering all parties together, allowing "free speech" and a safe place to voice individual concerns in a common gathering area. In the Palaver Tree system, the community met under a Palaver Tree, the symbolism here is quite apparent. Its a neutral ground, where the many different roots and branches (individual opinions) come together to form the trunk (common communal consensus).
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