Coney McConeFaces' Policies

At Coney McCone Face, we prioritize the principles of radical inclusion, respect, and community. Consent is a fundamental aspect of our engagement with one another and our art. We are committed to creating [a] a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.

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Our Consent Policy:

1. Explicit Consent: Always seek explicit verbal consent before engaging in any physical interaction, including but not limited to touching, hugging, or any form of contact. Silence or lack of resistance does not imply consent[b].

2. Ongoing Consent: Consent is an ongoing process. It can be withdrawn at any time, and all participants must respect the boundaries set by others. Check in regularly to ensure continued comfort and consent.

3. Informed Participation: Ensure that all participants are fully informed about what they are consenting to. This includes understanding the nature of the interaction, potential risks, and the context within which it occurs.

4. Respecting Boundaries: Respect personal space and boundaries at all times. If someone says “no” or indicates discomfort, stop immediately and step back[c].

5. Zero Tolerance: We have a zero-tolerance policy on consent. Any form of non-consensual behavior, including harassment, coercion, or manipulation, will not be tolerated under any circumstances. Violations of this will result in immediate action, including removal from the project space and potential banning from the event.

6. Accountability: We hold ourselves and each other accountable for maintaining a culture of consent. If you witness or experience any behavior that violates this policy, please report it to a project lead or designated consent advocate immediately.[d]

7. Education and Awareness: We are committed to educating our community about consent. Informational materials will be available to all participants.[e][f]

8. Support and Resources: We will provide support and resources for anyone affected by non-consensual behavior. This includes access to trained consent advocates and information on how to seek further assistance.

 

Remember: Consent is a shared responsibility. By practicing and promoting consent, we contribute to a safer, more respectful, and inclusive environment for everyone.

We aim to create an unforgettable experience together, grounded in mutual respect and consent.

R.I.D.E. Anti-Racism Pledge (August 2021)

“At our collective best, Burning Man is a multicultural, open, inviting, and inclusive community. By bringing an anti-racist and anti-discriminatory lens into our strategies and work, we are strengthening these values, and helping to build the future we want to live in. We are inspired by the vision of the Beloved Community, in which all people can share in the wealth of the earth. We are building new pathways to make sure more people have the opportunity to participate in this community and are able to see themselves in Burning Man. We are working to expand the participation of BIPOC communities, and to foster diversity in our policies, programs, and processes within our organization and our events.” - Stewardship Team, Burning Man

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To us, there is a hidden symbolism of Coney. On the surface level of the cone itself, the sole purpose of this icon is to keep humans safe, offering an immediately recognized warning, along with the knowledge that safety is at hand. When we zoom out from the form of the cone, we can ask ourselves: Who are the traffic cones of society (in the default world)?

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The list is quite expansive and feels endless when we look at the traffic cones of the default world: the ones that wrap up our items in amazon boxes at the factories (opting out of bathroom breaks to make sure they aren’t punished), sanitation workers, janitors, utility workers, those who take care of our loved ones in elderly homes, farmers (especially migrant workers), firefighters (especially incarcerated ones), ETC (with caps). We can go on and on as the list is endless. Mind you, many of the folks who fulfill these crucial roles are commonly marginalized (BIPOC, women, immigrants, formerly or currently incarcerated, elderly, LGBTQ, differently abled folks, low income, etc). It’s a lot to take in when you really think about it. How do we show these people love and appreciation?

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Using this lens, and zooming into the environment where we will be offering a symbolic art installation that is pointing towards these people, we must ask, where do these people reside within the social ecosystem of Black Rock City? Who are the traffic cones of BRC? Beyond the 80,000 participants that revel in the liberation from the default world, there are people that are fundamental in making this happen that are typically not recognized. Our plan as a team is to identify who those folks are. At a first glance, here are a few: Those who provide sanitary services, security guards, rangers, the camps that help folks who are having adverse reactions to substances, medical tent, volunteers, technical crew, and transportation staff. Additionally, we are interested in connecting with Paiute community members who are interested in being at or work for Burning Man.

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As we praise the cone, we praise the safety cones of our community as well.

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Principles of R.I.D.E

 

It is vital for our crew to become familiar with the principles of R.I.D.E.  Our Intention: For our members to be introduced to these principles that shape how we create belonging within our crew as well as how we shape the impact we make with those that we interact with!

 

Carolina Pissarro, head of R.I.D.E. for this project, trained in the Purpose and Belonging methodology of Holistic Underground, will share and reflect these principles with the crew, emphasizing transformational justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion along with materials available in Hive provided by Burning Man.

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This is a brief snapshot into the HU definitions:

Holistic Underground Definitions:  [a]

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Justice: A state of integrity and wholeness achieved through healing or transformation.

• Doing what we say we’ll do, being who we claim we are.

• Our bodies, minds, relationships and institutions are functioning healthfully and effectively.

• If something is broken or harmed, that needs to be healed or mended.

• When conflict, hurt or harm affects our bodies, minds, relationships and institutions, we clean up the mess. When that’s not possible, we address the underlying cause of harm.

• When we practice justice people can trust that their lives, safety, and well-being are valued and cared for in a team, community or society.

• Justice recognizes the sovereignty of every human being and that they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

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Equity: Measurable resources are distributed in such a way that everyone has what they need to thrive.

• Thrive = To grow or develop well. To prosper or flourish.

• A sense of belonging / safe

• Measureable resources: These include ownership, access, power, support, wealth, capital, recognition, authority, information, and more.

• Distinctions:

• Equality: everyone gets the same

• Equity: We identify what each person or group needs and redistribute accordingly. Equity looks at both where there is lack and where there is excess.

• Important to examine how current and historical distribution of resources affect who can and cannot thrive.

• Start where there’s the greatest need.

• Invite those who have the most to share to be generous. Practice an abundance mindset.

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Diversity: The welcomed presence of differences within a group. When differences create richness and don’t block connection.

• Like in nature, diversity creates more richness, resilience and possibility.

• More perspectives, skill sets, and approaches are available.

• Justice and equity are more achievable when there is more insight into the needs of diverse groups.

• Invite and welcome others (personal invites)

• Belonging is something that we can offer to others

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Inclusion: Producing a context where:

• Everyone present has the opportunity to participate

• Everyone present is supported to experience a sense of belonging to the group as they are who they are.

• Participation: The distinction between really being included, and being a token or just occupying space is the opportunity to make a meaningful and valued contribution. A sense of purpose.

• A sense of belonging: may include feeling like you are a part of the group. Who you are, as you are, is valued and needed. You are in the right place. You fit.

• Am I safe here? Am I welcomed? Do I matter? Am I important?

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Particularly inspired by Radical self-reliance and leave no trace, we aim to be fully responsible for our artistic contribution to the playa. In the spirit of wanting to leave the place better than we found it, we look to identify and name ALL of the costs and impacts associated with this project. Up until now, many businesses and projects aren’t obligated to name every cost that is associated with their impact and we want to be a part of shifting that paradigm.

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In our eyes, long lasting solutions come from the ground up and as a project we aim to set an example of ways artists can propose, design and fundraise for their projects in the future that considers the environment in which they are bringing their art as well as the future generations.

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Identifying and Addressing All Costs

In line with our commitment to sustainability, our sustainability lead is dedicated to identifying and accounting for all costs and impacts associated with our project. This includes analyzing all carbon expenditures and negative externalities. By quantifying these in monetary terms, we aim to secure funding to support local carbon drawdown initiatives and systemic health within Washoe County, Nevada. We will be mindful of our material sourcing and will measure the carbon footprint of burning the cone, the travel of participants, transportation of materials, and online meetings. Boiled down, this looks like us investigating this impact while mitigating as much negative externalities as possible, monetizing it (quantifying that cost in terms of currency) and identifying local stakeholders to receive and administer any funds raised to bring carbon back into the ground and support the local communities in the county.

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Guiding Principles

1. Empowered Participation: Solutions emerge from the ground up rather than being imposed from the top down. This aligns with our R.I.D.E. principle of inclusion, ensuring all voices are heard and valued.

2. Infinite Game Design: We aim for win-win-win scenarios, fostering long-term regeneration rather than short-term gains.

3. Bioregional Awareness: Understanding the bioregion of Black Rock City helps us honor and meet the needs of the local environment and community.

4. Hidden Connections: We map out the social ecosystem to appreciate and recognize those who are often overlooked, similar to how R.I.D.E. emphasizes honoring marginalized communities.

5. Internalizing Negative Externalities: We take responsibility for our environmental impacts, striving to add value rather than extracting it. This echoes our commitment to equity and justice.

6. Value Addition: Our project serves as a model of measuring all costs, not just construction and transportation, inspiring others to adopt comprehensive sustainability practices.

7. Symbiotic Relationships: We design with life at the center, creating balanced and regenerative systems. This ties into the R.I.D.E. principle of fostering diversity and inclusion, ensuring that all life forms are valued.

8. Nested Systems: Recognizing that our project operates within a larger biosphere, we aim to create diverse and sustainable offerings that support the local and global environment.

 

Implementation Strategy

This is our first attempt at practicing this vision, and we anticipate that the true cost of the project will exceed our initial estimates of $60,000. As Ronald Sistek, a regenerative systems thought leader (Chile), suggests, “An economic system cannot sustain itself over time unless it internalizes all its costs. Unfortunately, a significant portion of the costs that are externalized are paid by nature, future generations, and marginalized communities.” We take this insight seriously and aim to embody a holistic approach to our sustainability efforts.

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Vision for the Future

Inspired by Joanna Macy's words, “If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by… people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear,” we commit to taking short, meaningful steps toward a regenerative future. We will navigate the complexity of our journey by focusing on our goals, dreaming big, and taking the next possible steps that align with our present context.

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Interconnection with R.I.D.E. Principles

Our sustainability efforts are deeply interconnected with our R.I.D.E. principles. By embracing radical inclusion, diversity, and equity, we ensure that our approach to sustainability is comprehensive and just. We strive to create a symbiotic relationship between our project, the environment, and the community, fostering a culture of respect, appreciation, and responsibility.