Abstract

Commons are often presented as inclusive and emancipatory alternatives to capitalist forms of ownership and governance. Yet access to commons is never automatic. Questions of participation, belonging, and power shape who is able to engage in commoning processes and who remains at the margins. Drawing on participatory action research, long-term participant observation, and my involvement as both a member and researcher at Bâtiment 7 in Tio'tia:ke/Mooniyang/Montreal, this presentation examines inclusion and exclusion within a community-controlled space widely recognized for its commitment to social transformation. Using J.K. Gibson-Graham’s framework on commons, together with theories of social power, whiteness, racial microaggressions, and white fragility, I analyze three commons found within and around Bâtiment 7: Press Start, a youth-led arcade centered on racialized youth; an Indigenous cultural space developed by the Buckskin Babes collective; and the governance structure of Bâtiment 7 itself. The analysis reveals a striking contrast. While Press Start and the Indigenous cultural space have created conditions that foster belonging and meaningful participation among groups marginalized by colonialism and white supremacy, the governance core of Bâtiment 7 remains largely white, francophone, and university educated despite repeated attempts by racialized people to become involved. I argue that the concentration of social power within the governance core contributes to the creation of invisible barriers that shape participation and belonging. The presentation concludes by exploring the potential of Bâtiment 7 as a “zone of encounter,” where everyday interactions can challenge dominant norms and contribute to broader anti-racist transformation.