Linked Fate & Interdependence: Reconnecting Communities & Reframing the Dialogue for a Transformative Agenda john a. powell Williams Chair in Civil Rights & Civil Liberties, Moritz College of Law & Executive Director, Kirwan Institute September 24, 2007

Connectivity & Mutuality “We are all caught up in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever effects one directly effects all indirectly.” -The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Linked Fates… Transformative Change Our fates are linked, yet our fates have been socially constructed as disconnected, especially through the categories of class, race, gender, nationality, religion…

Our Current Paradigm Current paradigm: Hobbesian, isolated, radically individualistic Perceives individuals as autonomous-independent selves Egoistic, possessive, separate, isolated, rational Role of state: protect individualism and individual property

Our Current Paradigm This has led to increasing isolation and fear of the other This framework creates and marginalizes the racialized other Creates false separations – negates shared humanity As a result we are a nation divided, and have failed to achieve true democracy

Effects of Current Paradigm on Social Justice Work Within this framework, social justice work: Overlooks opportunities for coalition building Is more fragmented and isolated May be competitive and divisive Can lead to guilt or disempowerment Is not connected to an overarching set of shared values Lacks a cohesive and unified vision!

Are we too individualistic or can we transcend this disconnectedness?

A New Paradigm Individualism and interconnectivity are not mutually excusive When a linked correctly, interconnectivity supports individuality We believe this is possible through collective imagination A New Paradigm!

A New Paradigm What is the alternative vision? A model of connectedness Individuals as part of something bigger Inter-being, unified, not egoistically separate

A New Paradigm Shared Fate This has been interpreted by some to be synonymous with self-interest This is too narrow -- as institutions shift, so will individual or group interests Need an overarching collective vision of shared fate not predicated on personal or group-based interests

Next Steps Now that we have this framework of connectedness and shared fate, where do we go from here? Need to separately consider: internal analysis communication strategy programmatic approach

Next Steps Must be explicit about both internal AND external communications strategy- these are not always the same Need to explore ways not only of “talking about race” but also “doing around race”

Next Steps: Analysis Understand your audience & their dominant frames Different symbols animate different associates with different groups Need to first understand what that frame means to different groups Example- freedom

Next Steps: Communication Strategy Don’t rely on highlighting disparities or structures alone May work best with some groups but not others Must connect the individual with the structures- tell stories that use the personal to lift up the structural Grapes of Wrath

Next Steps: Communication Strategy This story must activate the correct frame for your audience Priming- how an individual process information depends on the frame that is activated Can be explicit or implicit Example: “illegal alien”

Next Steps: Programmatic Approach Develop and implement solutions that benefit ALL members of society Linked fate Targeted Universalism Action- Linked intervention Focus on “Turning Points” Multiracial and multiethnic coalitions Shared communications strategy

Concluding Thoughts The obstacles we face can seem insurmountable, however… Through a new paradigm and with coalition building we can make great strides in addressing the race and class disparities in our nation Strategic transactional change, can ultimately accomplish transformation Eyes on the prize(s) Remember- We Have, and Can Make Progress!

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For Further Reading Bill Bradley Drew Westen George Lakoff: The New American Story. (2007). Drew Westen The Political Brain: The Role of Emotion in Deciding the Fate of the Nation. (2007). George Lakoff: Whose Freedom?: The Battle over America's Most Important Idea (2007). Thinking Points: Communicating Our American Values and Vision (2006). Don't Think of an Elephant: Know Your Values and Frame the Debate--The Essential Guide for Progressives (2004).

For Further Reading Reports & Articles: Thinking Change:  Race, Framing, and the Public Conversation on Diversity. What  Social Science Research Tells Advocates About Winning Support for Racial Justice Policies. Available online through The Diversity Advancement Project http://www.diversityadvancementproject.org/ John Sterman. (1994). Learning in and about complex systems. Systems Dynamics Review. Vol. 10, nos. 2-3: 291-330. Online tools: Harvard Implicit Association Tests. https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/demo/