Where Society Fosters Universal Belonging
Contemporary debates often treat belonging as a fragile or novel aspiration—something that must be newly invented or defended against the complexities of modernity. Yet many of the norms, institutions, and moral commitments that structure modern societies already contain seeds of belonging. These seeds reflect moments—often partial, contested, and inconsistently realized—where societies have acknowledged the inherent dignity, humanity, and equal worth of all people.
Historically, this recognition was far from inevitable. For much of human history, social norms treated ordinary lives as expendable or insignificant. Monarchies elevated royalty and other elites above all others; ancient practices included burying servants alive alongside rulers to serve them in death. ... [Continue reading this critical new analysis published this week from Director john a. powell and researcher Alyssa Samantha Christman Lee.]
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Impact Story: Hard conversations can help us bridge toward a bigger “we” What happens when we choose to lean into hard conversations instead of avoiding them?
For Lawrence Benito, those moments have often been the beginning of something important. Growing up and finding his voice as an organizer, Benito learned early on that difference doesn’t have to mean division. The experiences that shaped his life also shaped his belief that the path toward understanding often runs straight through the conversations many of us try to avoid. Today, through his work in Chicago with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR), Benito has seen how structured conversations between neighbors and residents that is rooted in listening, empathy, and shared humanity can help people rebuild trust across lines of difference - one neighborhood at a time.
This approach is central to OBI's Bridging for Democracy work that shows when people are given the space and tools to engage across difference—without erasing disagreement—they can start to see one another not as opponents, but as neighbors with shared hopes and concerns. Read the full story here.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of the Othering & Belonging Institute or UC Berkeley, but belong to the author. |
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We recently published a this new workbook to guide you as you read of The Power of Bridging: How to build a world where all belong, authored by john a. powell and Rachelle Galloway-Popotas. The worksheets are designed to serve as a guide to key ideas covered in the book, providing an overview and resource about bridging for learners to spark interest and dialogue, strengthen shared practice, and deepen engagement with colleagues.
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Essay: Hearing More Voices Across a Divided California
Earlier this month our Blueprint 4 Belonging Project published the first in a new series of essays focused on how California’s community organizing field can confront challenges and opportunities distinct to our current socio-political moment. The first essay, authored by Irene Kao, who is the Executive Director of Courage California, looks at how the MAGA agenda has frayed the moral and social ties foundational to fostering connections, and how to fight back. She writes: "Communities are increasingly fractured by economic stress, political anger, and a media ecosystem that reinforces biases ... We are clearly at an inflection point for our democracy and the future of how we are – or are not – able to see each other as all part of 'the people,' and to demand our leaders govern as such." Read more here.
Disclaimer: The ideas expressed in this essay are not necessarily those of the Othering & Belonging Institute or UC Berkeley, but belong to the author. |
Book Talk: The Mixed Marriage Project
Join us in-person-only on April 9 at 5:30pm at UC Berkeley for a presentation by Dorothy Roberts on her latest book, The Mixed Marriage Project: A Memoir of Love, Race, and Family. Learn more about this event here, and register here.
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Together, we can make belonging the norm, not the exception. – The Othering & Belonging Institute |
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