The Power of Connection

May 8, 2012 Leave a comment

Racial justice work can be soul depleting or soul enriching. A lot depends on how we do the work and who we do it with.

Last week, six of us from the Boston area gathered to reflect on our experiences at Transforming Race.  Sponsored by the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, Transforming Race brought together academics, students, advocates and leaders of a wide range of nonprofit organizations to explore Visions of Change. We were challenged to consider: What would a generation or two of racial progress look like?  What seeds of change are in place right now?  How do we get from here to there? The theme was inspiring all by itself, and the many speakers, workshops and activities engaged our hearts as well as our and minds. All of that was very good.

Still, I was struck by one simple, common thread among our reflections. We were delighted simply to be together in “resonant company.” We recalled the fun, love and sense of community we experienced; we relished the sense of belonging. We had found “our tribe” – a community of people who care about what we care about, struggle with things we struggle with, and work for kind of future we are working for. It was great to be reminded how much human connections matter in this work. They renew and refresh us. They remind us of what’s important and guide us in times of confusion or discouragement.

As you work toward a more just world, how are you building community? How are you building relationships that can strengthen you and help you find the courage to persevere? How are you building the future that you want to live into?

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