The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea) Community Guidelines
By registering for a Tatreez & Tea class, lecture, or event, or by becoming a Tatreez & Tea member, you agree to abide by the Community Guidelines listed below. The policy is effective for all past, present, and future students.
Last Revision: April 24, 2024 (primarily in “Overview” and Section 7 & 8)
Previous Revision: February 12, 2024
Author: Wafa Ghnaim, wafa@tatreezandtea.com
Contents:
Overview
Appropriation of Palestinian Arts & Culture
Intellectual Property, Privacy & Copyright
Social Media & Sharing Online
Attendance Policy
Registration & Refund
Diversity & Inclusion
Anti-Bullying Policy
Stitching Collectives, Group Chats & Community Spaces
Sensitive & “Political” Subjects
Stitching Circle Sprouting
A Note for Non-Palestinians
Overview
The purpose of this policy is to protect the community of embroiderers around the world, Palestinian and allies, that are coming together to practice and preserve Palestinian embroidery with vulnerability and a desire to connect through The Tatreez Institute (Tatreez & Tea). We stand together in the unwavering belief that Palestinian freedom, human rights, and liberation are essential. In this spirit, we hold space for one another in the classroom and online as a safe place for Palestinians and allies to gather, share, learn, and grow.
We are equally responsible to one another for protecting and ensuring our community is safe and welcoming to all Palestinians and allies; whatever their gender identification, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability. This is a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. We respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices are valued and heard. We preserve Palestinian embroidery and traditions by centering Palestinian voices and standing against the appropriation of Palestinian arts & culture.
Though extremely rare, Wafa Ghnaim (the instructor) reserves the right to remove anyone from the community (classes, member levels and group chats) without notice, explanation or refund. The Community Guidelines were in part authored to define the instances in which an individual could be removed from the community. The instructor will attempt to resolve any miscommunication or misunderstanding through direct communication, if the other party is willing, before they are removed. If an individual severs their relationship with the instructor in writing, the instructor will assume they are requesting to be removed from the community (classes, member levels and group chats). Severing the relationship with the instructor in writing, means that the individual does not want to be a part of any Tatreez & Tea physical or virtual community spaces. The instructor aims to respect your decision, not pursue retaliation. Furthermore, the instructor reserves the right to refuse registration for a course, and refuse sale to any individual, entity or organization who has been removed from the community or who has severed their relationship.
Wafa is not required to submit to any person(s) who show contempt for her personally or professionally; publicly or privately. Just as students and community members have the right to remain or remove themselves in the group chats and classes, Wafa has equal right to disengage immediately and without notice or permission, when she is being bullied, mistreated or belittled. Needless to say, no one is entitled to her labor, instruction, time and research, Palestinian or not.
The instructor stands by the ethics of inclusion that guide the Tatreez & Tea communities, and therefore does not tolerate exclusionary tactics, bullying, or gossip (see Section 7). If someone is engaging in this behavior they will be removed from the community until they can make efforts towards restorative justice, or are able to resolve their differences with that person with compassion and directness. Bad behavior could also be directed towards the instructor. It is not considered “exclusionary” if a member is removed from the community for being disrespectful, patronizing or denigrating towards Wafa or another member. Scrutiny and critique of the work, mission and projects of The Tatreez Institute or the members within it are welcome when expressed with professionalism, kindness and respect — no matter how stern or direct. In the same spirit, providing equal access to opportunities and resources in The Tatreez Institute, and remaining inclusive, hinge on the mutual respect and compassion expressed between community members and with the instructor.
Appropriation of Palestinian Arts & Culture
Appropriation, authorship, and ownership are important conversations in the art world. Appropriation is the practice of selectively using pre-existing objects and images in artwork, without referencing the original work. The act of appropriating can be confusing, because different communities and artists view borrowing, appropriating, and copying in various ways.
Tatreez & Tea defines the appropriation of Palestinian arts and culture as the unacknowledged or inappropriate adoption, practice, wear, use, or sale of Palestinian motifs, needlework, customs, practices, ideas, and traditional methods by a non-Palestinian. It is important that customs, beliefs, art, and culture are shared across and between communities, but it is not appropriate for non-Palestinians to seize aspects of Palestinian arts and culture and profit from them.
Those that do not identify as Palestinian, or have no Palestinian familial or ancestral origins, are encouraged to learn, share and appreciate the art form. Purchasing or learning Palestinian embroidery from a Palestinian organization or individual is appropriate — under the condition that they cite the Palestinian origin of the piece, as well as the historical and cultural context. It is considered inappropriate for non-Palestinians to produce, learn or use Palestinian embroidery, and then sell or adopt the art form as their own.
Tatreez & Tea firmly believes that the preservation and practice of traditional Palestinian embroidery must center and uplift Palestinian voices. Wafa does not support any non-Palestinian student (past, present, or future) of Tatreez & Tea to adopt, practice, wear, or use Palestinian motifs, embroidery, and techniques for profit or charity. Wafa teaches Palestinian embroidery to non-Palestinians under the condition that they do not appropriate, adopt or assimilate the art form in any public or private forum, whether it is for profit, charity, or otherwise.
Students participating in the Tatreez & Tea community must agree in the belief that only Palestinians should serve as the culture bearers of textile traditions originating in historic Palestine — and that the sale or adoption of Palestinian embroidery by other cultures and individuals only increases its endangerment.
Any act or expressed interest in appropriating Palestinian arts and culture merits the immediate termination of studies with Tatreez & Tea without refund, and the individual(s) will be removed from the community immediately. Violation of this policy is considered so severe that individual(s) will be banned without any guarantee to return to the community or restore their relationship with the instructor. Furthermore, the instructor reserves the right to share her experience with other community members and organizations to prevent the individual(s) from endangering the art form any further.
Please note that the same policy applies to any cultural study provided in the Tatreez & Tea community, including Syrian textiles and dress.
2. Intellectual Property, Privacy & Copyright
Wafa Ghnaim reserves all copyright and intellectual property rights to the curriculum and materials on the website, all course, and content offerings. By enrolling in a Tatreez & Tea class or class series, and downloading any affiliated patterns, students agree to not distribute, reproduce or publish Tatreez & Tea content under any circumstances, publicly or privately. Tatreez & Tea content is especially unwelcome on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest without written permission from Wafa Ghnaim in advance of posting.
Distribution, dissemination, or reproduction of hand-drawn patterns, written histories, research, recorded sessions, video links, videos, student portal information, and access, curricula, and/or emails by, to and from Wafa Ghnaim is in violation of copyright law and intellectual property rights and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Wafa Ghnaim maintains copyright certification and IP rights for all of her work, patterns (including contributed patterns by designers), and research. Any content shared in presentations, patterns, and publications maintains academic citations in accordance to the standards outlined in Chapter 14 of The Chicago Manual of Style.
Wafa Ghnaim shall own all rights, titles, and interests, including all related intellectual property rights, in and to content produced by Wafa Ghnaim, including contributed patterns by designers as contractually agreed upon.
Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to delete student portals and class recordings within one month of class completion, or sooner if she deems necessary. Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to remove anyone from the community who violates any part of the Community Guidelines.
Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to remove any individual from the Tatreez & Tea community (classes and group chats) without advance notice or refund.
The Tatreez & Tea name, logo, product names, and designs are trademarks and intellectual property of Wafa Ghnaim, and no right or license is granted to use them. Any misuse, misrepresentation, or unauthorized sharing of Tatreez & Tea content will result in immediate removal from the class, as well as every effort made to the fullest extent of the law that includes but is not limited to having the content reported and removed.
The cultural appropriation of Palestinian motifs, symbols, stories, histories and designs will not be tolerated. Anyone found to participate in, or interested in, the appropriation of Palestinian arts and/or culture will be immediately removed from the community without refund.
3. Social Media & Sharing Online
Distribution, dissemination, or reproduction of patterns, recorded sessions, video links, videos, student portal information, and access, curricula, and/or emails by, to and from Wafa Ghnaim is in violation of copyright law and intellectual property rights and will be pursued for removal. Content posted without prior written consent from Wafa Ghnaim will be reported as copyright and intellectual property violation through the platform(s) and will be removed immediately by Facebook, Instagram, and other social media accounts. Please note that repeated copyright violations on social media result in the company deleting your profile without your consent or prior knowledge, or worse, being banned from the platform altogether. It is wise to follow copyright guidelines and avoid being reported at all costs.
If you would like to share personal projects on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest, as well as any other platform, publicly or privately, please make every effort to photograph the final project without revealing the pattern. Acceptable photography includes those that are close up’s, at an angle, or blurred. Showing the entirety of the project on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest is problematic due to the ease in copying the pattern. Videography is more acceptable because video screenshots cannot be effectively copied. Generally speaking, if you can make out every stitch in the pattern in your image, you should not post it.
Below are prohibited formats for sharing online.
Do not share videos, passwords or access
Do not share emails, patterns, or course curriculum
Do not share screenshots of lectures or images shared in lectures on social media, regardless if you have a public or private account
Do not record, download, distribute or reproduce videos, patterns, or images
Do not share images of final projects where the entire pattern is visible and the pattern can be digitized
Below are acceptable formats for sharing online.
Do share your final projects online if you are holding the final project and are accompanying the image
Do share your final projects online if you create a video
Do share your final projects online if you have a close up of the stitches and the overall pattern is not visible
If your final project is wearable, do share a photograph of you wearing it (of course!)
These rules apply for any online platform, as well as email and group chats, regardless of whether they are private or public. These rules apply for Signal group chats if it is outside the class group chat. Please reach out to Wafa at wafa@tatreezandtea.com with any questions.
Examples of Acceptable Image Sharing on Digital Platforms
4. Attendance Policy
Students should provide a minimum of 24 hours advance notice to Wafa at wafa@tatreezandtea.com if unable to attend any class, lecture, or stitching collective.
The instructor reserves the right to drop any student who exceeds three no-shows, without a refund. A “no-show” is when a student does not provide 24 hours notice to the instructor that they will be absent. Emergency circumstances are always excused, no questions asked.
If students are unable to attend class, they are required to catch up on previous class recordings before attending a live session.
Please note that while the instructor remains flexible and understanding of absences, classes are not always recorded. The instructor reserves the right to disable recordings as needed, such as when students are sharing personal information, or the instructor is presenting sensitive materials. It is always a good idea to connect with the instructor ahead of your planned absences to ensure you are receiving the full curriculum experience.
The instructor also reserves the right to cancel or postpone a course if attendance is low and/or unconfirmed by the majority of students. The instructor will determine if the class is cancelled or postponed based on the course curriculum and availability. If class is cancelled due to low or no attendance, the class may not be rescheduled. The instructor makes every reasonable effort to ensure that classes are run as originally scheduled.
For any class, lecture or workshop, it is expected that each student will have their video on, give their undivided attention to the lesson, and participate in class discussions. If students are unable to share their video or be present for class — students are strongly encouraged to not join class, and instead watch the recording. The instructor is providing focused, collaborative and inspirational spaces for students to learn. Studying Palestinian history and embroidery is unlike the study of any other discipline, it is the study of an oppressed people who have no opportunity to learn this content in school or university. The classroom space is sensitive to Palestinian students who may be hearing about the depopulation of their own village for the first time, or experiencing a personal connection to the history. The instructor is unable to cultivate this learning space and care for these students, if attendees are working on other things, talking to other people in their space, walking away from the camera, appearing bored or distracted, or not participating at all.
If a student would like to register for an event or class series but is unable to attend live sessions, preferring to access recordings throughout the entire duration of the semester, they are required to notify the instructor at the time of registration (before class starts). When providing ahead of time notice to the instructor, students are excused from those absences as well as supported through one-on-one meetings as needed. There is a great benefit to students who make a habit of communicating with the instructor and being clear about their scheduling needs.
5. Registration & Refund
Tatreez & Tea relies on the patronage of the community to continue the crucial work of keeping Palestinian embroidery alive in the diaspora. Please note that registration per individual attendee is required for each class, class series, and apprenticeship. If a student is found to have shared portal information or Tatreez & Tea curricula with another person without prior authorization and written consent from Wafa Ghnaim, they will be removed from class and will not be welcome to future classes. They will also lose access to all prior recordings and content in the Tatreez & Tea curriculum.
If you would like to join with more than one participant but cannot afford additional registration, please be sure to contact Wafa ahead of the class at wafa@tatreezandtea.com. She offers sliding scale rates as needed and continues her commitment to inclusivity whenever possible.
Registration is nonrefundable after the student receives access to the pattern, and/or to the student portal. Some exceptions apply to extenuating circumstances.
All purchases from the Tatreez & Tea shop are nonrefundable, including but not limited to; digital downloads, books, merchandise, publications, kits, fabrics and donations. If books shipped from the printer are damaged or misprinted, the customer is required to contact wafa@tatreezandtea.com with photographs of the damage and order number, within 14 days of receipt. Merchandise shipped by Printful is on-demand. The customer is required to contact wafa@tatreezandtea.com if they do not receive merchandise within 14 days of the ship date. The ship date is provided using the tracking number shared in the order fulfillment email from the Tatreez & Tea shop. Membership in Tatreez & Tea Central are nonrefundable, however, membership is cancellable at anytime.
Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to remove any individual from the Tatreez & Tea community (classes and group chats) without advance notice or refund.
6. Diversity & Inclusion
Tatreez & Tea communities are committed to the inclusion of Palestinians and allies in participating in the preservation of Palestinian embroidery and traditions. Personal issues are left outside of the classroom.
We are committed to:
Acknowledging and dismantling any inequities within the classroom, whether through our conduct, language or otherwise.
Exploring potential underlying, unquestioned assumptions that interfere with inclusiveness in the art form.
Practicing and encouraging transparent, supportive, and compassionate communication in all interactions between students and instructors, in the classroom and online.
Leading with respect and tolerance, in the classroom and online.
Ensuring that Palestinian voices are centered and uplifted, without appropriation or tokenization.
7. Anti-Bullying Policy
Bullying, gossip, or fighting is not acceptable behavior in the classroom or on social media, and the instructor reserves the right to excuse a student from class if another student (or the instructor herself) does not feel safe. The following types of behavior are examples of bullying:
Verbal bullying. Slandering, ridiculing or maligning a person or their, his or her family; name-calling that is hurtful, insulting or humiliating; abusive and offensive remarks.
Physical bullying. Pushing, shoving, kicking, poking, tripping, assault or threat of physical assault, damage to a person's work or property.
Gesture bullying. Nonverbal gestures that can convey threatening messages.
In addition, the following examples may constitute or contribute to evidence of bullying in the classroom or online:
Spreading rumors and gossip regarding individuals, in the classroom, and online.
Persistent singling out of one person.
Shouting or raising one's voice at an individual in public or in private.
Using obscene or intimidating gestures.
Not allowing the person to speak or express themself, himself or herself (i.e., ignoring or interrupting).
Personal insults and use of offensive nicknames.
Constant criticism on matters unrelated or minimally related to a community member’s performance, in the classroom and online.
Public reprimands, in the classroom and online.
Deliberately excluding an individual or isolating them, him or her from the community, in the classroom, and online.
Exclusion is defined as socially or physically excluding or disregarding someone from the community. Exclusionary tactics include but are not limited to:
Social exclusion, including persistent exclusion from social gatherings, social ostracism, and ignoring.
Condescension, downgrading, and criticizing another community member, including Wafa Ghnaim.
Mobbing, which includes community members banding together to target another Palestinian or ally through a coordinated campaign of gossip, humiliation, ridicule, and criticism privately and/or publicly.
Serial bullying, when a community member bullies different Palestinians and allies within the community and displays a pattern of bullying behavior.
Tatreez & Tea group chats are intended for current and alumni students. It is not considered “exclusionary” to refuse admission to group chats by individuals who do not follow this criteria. Furthermore, it is not considered “exclusionary” if a member is removed from the community (classes or group chats) for being disrespectful, patronizing or denigrating towards Wafa Ghnaim or another member. Scrutiny and critique of the work, mission and projects of The Tatreez Institute are welcome when expressed with professionalism, kindness and respect. Students and community members are not entitled to the labor, instruction, time and research of Wafa Ghnaim, most especially if they engage in disrespectful, patronizing or denigrating behaviors towards her.
Cyberbullying, as defined by the federal government, is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions, employment, and other areas of life. Examples of cyberbullying includes:
Hateful messages and comments
Posting or sending unauthorized images of another community member
Wrongfully accusing another community member of stealing work publicly or privately
Spreading rumors about another community member that will damage their reputation or business
Harassing or threatening behavior
Engaging someone in messaging and tricking them to reveal personal information
Individuals who feel they have experienced bullying should report this to Wafa Ghnaim at wafa@tatreezandtea.com before the conduct becomes severe or pervasive. If a bully or offender of this policy has been excused from the community and would like to return, a restorative justice approach is needed in order to repair, if both parties should agree. Though extremely rare, Wafa Ghnaim reserves the right to block, restrict and/or avoid communication with individuals, including but not limited to social media accounts, when she feels that she or her family, students, communities or brand are unsafe, threatened, or bullied. The rare cases in which an individual is blocked on social media, but wants to explore restorative justice approaches and resolution, can do so through direct communication with Wafa through email only. If this individual extends their toxic behavior to email, they will be blocked through email and restorative justice can only be sought through mediation facilitated by a trusted community member.
8. Stitching Collectives, Group Chats & Community Spaces
The Tatreez & Tea Stitching Collectives, as well as other community spaces and group chats, are hosted and moderator by the instructor, Wafa Ghnaim, and these Community Guidelines.
Stitching Collectives are a professional space intended to leverage the collective knowledge of our community members and support embroiderers in the Tatreez & Tea community. The Stitching Collectives should be considered open studio hours, where embroiderers and students are participating with the intention to further their embroidery work and studies. There is no specific instruction provided and the sessions are not recorded.
When the instructor is actively teaching courses, the Stitching Collective and all active group chats serve as open office hours for the instructor and students of Tatreez & Tea. When the instructor is not actively teaching classes, they remain a professional space that prioritizes the learning and practice of Palestinian embroidery above all else.
Participants are not allowed to share class videos, curriculum materials and Tatreez & Tea patterns, because circulating these works compromise the instructors income for future registration. If an individual needs to access lectures and curricula, but needs registration costs waived or reduced, Wafa always does her best to accommodate. Please contact Wafa at wafa@tatreezandtea.com.
All participants are required to turn on their videos and participate in the conversations. The instructor is within her right to remove participants that do not share their video without notice, do not participate in the discussions, are non-responsive when asked questions, and/or cause anyone to feel unsafe.
Participants should not use this space to promote businesses or brands.
Participants should not use this space to infringe on the copyright of any artist, scholar, researcher, scholarship, or publication.
Sensitive & “Political” Subjects
The Stitching Collectives are family-friendly spaces. Participants are asked to keep sensitive subjects or topics that are not appropriate for children to a minimum, specifically regarding eating disorders, drugs, and other topics that are not suitable for little ears. It is preferred that the majority of the conversations focus on aspects of Palestinian arts and culture. We appreciate your cooperation on this matter.
Due to the political nature of Palestinian embroidery — to preserve and uphold Palestinian arts and culture in the face of ethnic cleansing and erasure — topics such as current events, ethnic cleansing and historical accounts about Palestine as well as the condition of the Palestinian people will be discussed. These subjects, while triggering, are deeply welcome as they serve an important role in strengthening solidarity and organizing, as well as upholding the mission of Tatreez & Tea.
Stitching Circle Sprouting
Over the years, the community members attending stitching collective have changed, shifted and grown. While the Tatreez & Tea Stitching Collective (and any associated group chats) are publicly promoted spaces that are moderated by these Community Guidelines, the currently attending group may—over time—have needs that exceed the goals of The Tatreez Institute or go beyond the defined community space. For instance, they may want to host stitching circles that are not at the same time promoted by The Tatreez Institute, or, they do not want to adhere to the Community Guidelines any longer.
In such cases, members should feel free to “sprout” and curate their own virtual or physical stitching circle that better suits their needs, rather than attempt to change the structure of The Tatreez Institute. Should you need to “sprout” we can work together to ensure the transition is conducted in a compassionate manner, with gratitude and support for one another. From the instructors perspective, “sprouting” means that our activism is effective and we are becoming stronger and louder in our fight against cultural erasure and appropriation. The Tatreez Institute is not going to meet everyone’s needs at all times, and it is important that the instructor support sprouting as a way to infinitely expand the cultural resistance of the community. Such support should not be misconstrued in a negative manner. The purpose of The Tatreez Institute is to develop culture bearers in Palestinian embroidery, and grow the movement against cultural erasure and appropriation.
Please note that sprouting is only directly supported by the instructor when it is led by a Palestinian or group of Palestinians. It is also important to mention that the instructor would like to maintain a harmonious relationship with sprouted groups, joining the new circles and supporting their initiative whenever possible. This is why the instructor urges anyone considering sprouting to do so as soon as possible, before tension arises and the mission of growing our resistance against cultural erasure is fragmented.
A Note to Non-Palestinians
Please be aware that you are entering a Palestinian space when attending Tatreez & Tea events. Palestinians, especially in the United States, have no spaces dedicated to safely and freely share their personal and familial experiences. If you are not Palestinian, please observe the dynamics of the room you are in. If there are Palestinians present, including the instructor, please consider cultural differences. Palestinian culture does not encourage interrupting someone when they speak, especially if they are your instructor or elder. In general, Palestinians will wait for silence in the room before entering the conversation — mute yourself, give the gift of silence to the space, and do not interrupt. Non-Palestinians will learn a lot when muted and silent, as it will allow Palestinians to share and ask questions. Please also note that in Palestinian culture, when there is a Palestinian elder or instructor is speaking, the younger group must listen and show respect. Even if the Palestinian elder is not your elder, please observe these social dynamics by showing respect to the Palestinian elder and allowing them to lead the conversation. Mute yourself. Do not interrupt this process. What you are witnessing is the passing down of knowledge from Palestinian elders to the next generation. The purpose of Tatreez & Tea community spaces are this — to pass on knowledge to the next Palestinian generation who will go on to become culture bearers in their communities.