10 Stages of Change

Thank you for exploring the website and delving into the critical topics of genocide awareness and prevention. I’m Josh Bicknell, a licensed English language arts educator with a passion for making a difference both inside and outside the classroom.

Recognizing the urgency of addressing genocide and its ten stages, I’ve embarked on a journey to shed light on this issue and inspire action at every level, from local communities to the global stage. Too often, we witness a world where apathy and personal comfort overshadow the value of human life. Through my work, I aim to challenge this norm and advocate for meaningful change.

My background spans teaching across diverse educational settings, from alternative education to advanced courses, and tutoring college students. Amidst the challenges facing the education sector, I’ve ventured beyond traditional teaching roles, channeling my efforts into innovative projects.

One such project is “10 Stages of Change,” a series of blog posts that delve into the stages of genocide, drawing from the framework outlined by Gregory H. Stanton. Each post examines a specific stage, accompanied by real-life case studies and actionable steps for individuals to combat passivity and promote inclusivity and tolerance.

While I acknowledge that addressing genocide requires collective effort, I also understand that individuals have varied priorities and commitments. Whether it’s advocating for refugees, supporting education reform, or addressing environmental issues, every cause is valid and deserving of attention.

Through visual aids like the “Map the Stages” feature and accessible resources, I strive to make information readily available to all. From one-minute actions to more time-intensive commitments, there’s a role for everyone in this fight against genocide.

Central to this project is the belief that individual actions, no matter how small, can create ripple effects of positive change. By raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and exerting pressure on leaders, we can collectively work towards preventing future atrocities.

Ultimately, my goal is not only to highlight the gravity of genocide but also to inspire hope and action. As we navigate through these dark realities, we must remember that even amidst darkness, there is the potential for light and transformation.

I invite you to explore the series and join us in our mission to confront genocide and build a more compassionate and just world. Together, we can be agents of change, turning the tide towards a brighter future.

To embark on this journey and access the series on the ten stages of genocide, click here to read or listen. Thank you for your support and commitment to making a difference.

10 Stages of Change is, at its core, a series of stories, in the form of blog posts. Each post focuses on one stage of genocide, based on the 10 stages of genocide as outlined by Gregory H. Stanton several decades ago. Each stage within the blog post aligns with a case study of a country or region experiencing or who has experienced genocide or genocidal events that could lead to genocide. Each post is also accompanied by a list of specific, actionable steps that anyone – regardless of time or ability or financial circumstance – can take to actively work against and resist passivity and promote tolerance, inclusivity, and community building in the fight against genocide.

This project is the result of over a year and a half now of scholarly research, with assistance from libraries throughout the Harris County area, museum access and interviews with refugees and survivors, primary source study, and engagement with hundreds of articles consisting of peer-reviewed research and the latest discoveries in genocide prevention and mass atrocities.

It’s important to remember that genocide is a process. There are those in which the process is slow, and others where it is rapid.

Finally, even if you only have a minute or two of time to do the smallest action, and even if that action is simply sharing one piece of information from this project, that small action adds another ounce into what is currently an imbalanced system of power, and where the cost of inaction can and has been devastating for the world.

My hope is that this project does not dwell on only the tragedy of genocide, or the feelings of despair. Genocide is heavy, and it is big. But just as society is capable of being influenced by a single dictator, totalitarian, or way of thinking, so too can the influence of a few create a tipping point in making this the type of world we can all find joy inhabiting.

I’m always struck by a line used by Holocaust Museum Houston, which I think is just perfect in so many ways:

From darkness, light.

To read the series exploring the ten stages of genocide and the case study for each stage, click here to read or listen here.