Activist Allies Gathering

Activists working on a range of issues came together with author David Korten on May 24, 2006 to participate in discussion focused on the over-arching cultural context in which we all do our work. People met across issues to consider their own and each other’s efforts as part of the larger, encompassing project of transforming global culture, our own society, and ourselves in fundamental ways. The challenge was defined as deconstructing empire and the mindset that both feeds and is fed by it. We viewed our different issues and projects as brushfires and wounds that are the inevitable and escalating outcomes of the imperial worldview of hierarchy, domination, power, and oppression.

We acknowledged the importance of each group and problem represented even as we noted how our issue-focus can isolate us from each other. It is easy to minimize or lose sight of problems outside our area of concern and of the common roots of these problems. In this we also lose sight and benefit of the breadth and skill of the work being done, and of the passionate longing that is reflected there for a real transformation of our culture. The crises we face today are intimately interconnected; until those roots are traced to their common source and those conditions are transformed, we cannot and will not succeed.

Our goal is more than continual triage, endless shuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic, so it is imperative that we recognize we are all working on facets of the same monumental project. Infusing our thinking about individual issues with a deeper understanding of the need for a foundational shift at both a personal and societal level is central to accomplishing the changes we seek. As our work and relationships take on the forms and language of this emerging understanding, the pace of that change will quicken and new norms will take root.

As we explored the range of issues represented in the room, we included the global scope and compounding effect of their influences on each other. Looked at in this light, within the long historic context that has brought us to this point, it is clear we are living in an era when human survival–linked intimately to the survival of countless species and the necessary conditions for life on the planet–is at stake. What we do with this understanding matters immeasurably to our children and the generations to follow.

The global aspects of issues we address locally — such as community health care and global epidemics; local food production and transnational corporate agribusiness; domestic violence prevention and geopolitical aggression; voter-owned elections and spreading fascism and disenfranchisement — require us to look at that larger picture of connections linking issue to issue, and most importantly, to see the underlying conceptual framework that has led us to this point. To continue our work without addressing the philosophical basis that underlies this crisis point in history guarantees that the crises will continue, compound, and escalate. We might stop the current war, even as the next one is on the drawing board; we might feed hungry children, but the economic and cultural imperatives that produce poverty will still stand; we might gain better pay and opportunity but racism will find expression in other ways.

Our real goal in our specific projects grows from our vision of a just, peaceful, sustainable future. So to that end, a primary task is to recognize how our cultural systems, social relationships, and even individual developmental maps have been saturated with the values of empire. Particularly as citizens in the most powerful empire in the history of the world, it is crucial that we shift our basic understanding of what it means to be fully human, and fuel a collective maturing into our common responsibility. Creating the conditions that support a maturing of consciousness is at the heart of the change needed; the work at hand is spiritual as well as political, social, and practical. The work must progress on all levels or any successes will be partial and unstable. We can begin to evaluate and align all our actions with a model of primary partnership, living in cooperation and mutual support with each other and the planet. This is the crucial foundation for creating peace, justice, and the possibility of not mere survival but of a sustainable, cooperative human culture.

We must continue our urgent actions for triage, staunching the bleeding and putting out the fires. The escalating damage must be stopped and better alternatives developed. But at the same time, we have the opportunity to create much more visionary change that will allow the conditions for a fundamentally just, sustainable, and positive partnership culture to unfold.

David Korten offered a half-hour presentation based on concepts in his latest book, The Great Turning from Empire to Earth Community. He defines this era and process of epic transition as “The Great Turning.” Others use the language of the Earth Charter and these terms can be great tools for our continuing communication. But what matters are the principles, not the metaphor, title or tag we use; incredible work to birth a sustainable future is taking place all over the world under no particular unifying title or language – the proof will always be in the pudding. By opening our thinking to the scope of the project and recognizing how many seeds are germinating, we see more clearly the strength, possibility, and dynamic energy already emerging in our collective actions, partnerships, and mutual understanding.

On May 24 we gathered to develop a clearer appreciation of our interconnection and of the significance of all our work in transforming foundational values and goals that motivate human society. Like a caterpillar transformed to a butterfly, the times we live in call urgently for a radical evolution, a collective maturing of our understanding of what it means to be human, to be responsible, co-creative, fully-realized participants giving life to the values of authentic partnership, cooperation, and conscious interdependence.

As we considered the history and defining features of empire, we compared models for social and political organization based on domination and hierarchy with models based on partnership, cooperation, and equal relationships. After David’s presentation and follow-up question and answer time, we broke into small groups to consider these questions or others that arose in the groups:

1. How do I understand the larger project of change?
2. How do I know when others who are active in different issues support my work and recognize me as an ally? How does that look to me?
3. In what ways can I demonstrate to others that I am their ally in the larger project?
4. What would I call success, in my own issue area and in the larger effort?

The discussion groups ran long, and follow-up up time for reports and discussion was therefore extremely short, allowing only very brief reports from each group. Here are some of the thoughts that were expressed:

• We may all agree as a super majority about the fundamental issues: healthy kids, communities, ecosystems, but the values that shape our perceptions of the problems may differ markedly. We need to respectfully express our values while listening to others, trusting that we don’t all need to agree on how every value is articulated to be allies working to address the root challenges of our time.
• Understanding how we recognize successes helps us define these beacons for the future; it is important to note successes that are already happening; it’s useful to consider what we mean by the word success.

• It is important to come together with others to share our values and commonality before discussing differences.
• Trust is crucial in creating alliances or coalitions; recommended book—Radical Democracy by Douglas Lummis. Labor unions were built based on trusting relationships. We may need to find a different word for the concept of democracy, the meaning of which has been so diluted and co-opted. Trust is the opposite of fear. It is important to focus more of our attention and our efforts on what unites us than what divides us. Recognize that those in other groups are doing good work; the work is always to weaken empire and build communities. Trust our hearts and intuition. We need to know what other groups are doing; what are the 80% of people in the world, here and abroad, with less access to and control of resources doing? How can we make better and real connections? What is empire’s role?
• Can we develop more open communication with other groups, especially groups that are not like-minded? We need to cultivate the ability to listen to each other without agenda. Where do we begin personally? Here with myself—how I spend time, energy, money, resources…
• Communities grow organically after a disaster; this conversation is a blossom from hundreds of years of similar discussions. Building relationships comes with doing projects—people need to eat, etc. Historical empire opened access to markets—global communication is the result of this…we need the relationships this model has opened, not the markets. What would we define as a healthy co-beneficial outcome in a sustainable, global relationship?
• Reflection on the nature of change: we need to think about what the unintended consequences that can come of our actions might be. This is a cautionary note. A spiritual transformation is needed—working on “living into being,” rather than just resisting or responding to crises. People who enjoy positions of with privilege don’t want to give up their privilege (e.g. white male heterosexual)—so need to find ways that encourage opening that circle to expand it and share it. Redefining what is a happy, meaningful life is key. Share the joy of the “new story” and these new definitions — we begin to create it by telling it.
• Look at the larger project of change—language, framing of discussion, and perception can lead to a surplus of despair; we need a radical new understanding of ourselves. What is the language that allies (those who recognize that our larger collective work is to radically transform our society not just solve our issue) can use as a means to communicate and recognize each other?
• Advancement of human rights and environmental movements are crucial; networking with people in our issue area and outside it, with activists and others—remember that not everyone is on the info super highway, some people don’t know how to read, we exclude many if we rely on those modalities exclusively. Value multiple intelligences and skills that expand the circle rather than relying solely on linear, intellectual modes as primary or superior.
• Each group should do what they are best at doing while still supporting others; move from scarcity to sufficiency mindset so we don’t feel we are competing for dollars, members, attention; become aware of what others are doing;
• Don’t label others, pro or con, e.g. “white male heterosexuals are oppressors.” All are human beings and everyone can be important allies in the struggle; no one wants to surrender their privilege or comfort; everyone is human and should be encouraged as an ally in creating this change.

Recognizing that empire exists and agreeing is oppressive is just the beginning, though. Our next step must be to challenge ourselves more actively to recognize our roles and our participation in the model of empire, to recognize how we are shaped and affected by it, and how we both benefit from it and are wounded by it. Our very survival will depend on our willingness to take risks.

This Allies Gathering was barely a beginning. During summer we hope to further explore ways in which we can nurture this deep transformation to a radical partnership, cooperative paradigm within ourselves as we work to embed it in the operating ethos of our organizations. As this transformed understanding becomes the basis of our relationships at a personal level and within an expanding circle of community, we will see its imprint more and more frequently all around us.

Thanks to David Korten for his clear, unifying presentation of these concepts, and to all who participated in the discussions. May our work continue to move this critical transformation forward.