Section 2: Our Assumptions

Systems of Oppression Harm us All

“Dehumanization, although a concrete historical act, is not a given destiny but the result of an unjust order that engenders violence in the oppressors, which in turn dehumanizes the oppressed.” - Paulo Friere

Powerful actors and institutions have successfully built, maintained and strengthened a system in which:

The racial hierarchy is kept in place, white supremacist cultural norms are the dominant norms in most spaces, and the racial wealth divide is growing.
Patriarchal gender norms effectively police human behavior and maintain power in the hands of those who uphold these norms.
Most people struggle to access good quality affordable housing, healthcare, nutritious food, education, air, water, and nature.
Individuals, families and groups who have been targets of oppression often internalize the harmful messages about the inferiority of target group members.
Individuals, families and groups who have benefited from systems of oppression often internalize the harmful messages about the superiority of dominant group members.

Multi-faceted Movement Groups Make Change Happen

It will take a variety of strong, resilient movement building organizations committed to collective liberation to shift power. Many of these groups will, by necessity, be intergenerational, multi-racial, cross-class, multi-issue or all of the above. If we want to redirect power in ways that hold systems accountable to the physical, psychological, socio-cultural and spiritual needs of people who have been targeted by systems of oppression, we will have to acknowledge the interdependence that is key to making change.

This is the Work

In order to cultivate a state of healthy interdependence, we must wade into the painful waters of past injustice and begin to develop and practice new ways to transform conflict and redress harm. As a part of this effort, we must each commit to humbly examining the ways we have internalized messages of inferiority and superiority, make healing a central part of our work together, and cultivate the skills we will need to build principled communities of struggle.

This is the work. Sometimes, it is very difficult. It makes us feel uncomfortable. The path forward is not straight, nor is there a clear end. And it will take time; time to understand the sources of conflict, time to establish the purpose and structure of your group in ways that allow for healthy interdependence, time for people to be human with one another. Time for change.

If we are lucky, it breaks down our walls - the armor we have built to survive in this harsh world. But then, we are courageous in conflict, we are direct, we connect, we transform ourselves and one another. There is joy.

Together, we search for the places that are stained, soiled. We scrub away the residue of oppressive systems. We wash ourselves in the waters of healing, wring ourselves out, dry ourselves in the sun, and do it again, and again, every day. We soften the fabric, but make the weave strong.

Assumptions Reflection Questions

What are your implicit assumptions about how people should work together (individually and in your group)? How do these show up in the work?
Are there core assumptions that you need to agree on in your group?
What is your Theory of Change? Are you on the same page about what is needed to bring about the change you want to see? Do you need to be?
How do you see “the work”? Are you on the same page about seeing internal, personal and collective healing work as core to the struggle? Do you see skill-building as critical?