What are the foundations of the social movement that can break this spell cast over us? Rather than defining ourselves in opposition to something we don’t like, what’s the positive vision that can unite the mass social movement we need?
For me, the core tenet is radical belonging. In this new movement, every single person gets to belong. This certainly includes all those our society has historically failed to include and empower: women, people of color, Indigenous people, the LGBTQ community, immigrants, the poor, people with physical or mental challenges, etc.
But it also must include those who have not typically gotten our respect and earnest attention in past progressive moments: men, red hats, the ultra-rich, those from rural communities, and even people who don’t share our value of belonging.
No, we don’t have to entertain, platform, or condone hateful worldviews. We don’t have to pretend these ideologies are wise. And we can take action to ensure they do not come into power.
And yet, we can still fundamentally see, accept, and embrace their humanity. We can choose to see them as people who did not get the love and connection they needed. We can choose to see them as more like us than not like us. We can choose to think of them as part of our tribe.
In this new vision, belonging is not something people earn or can be taken away. Everyone is fundamentally allowed to be who they are, what they are, and where they are without being called “deplorable,” demeaned, or condescended to.
Would you be willing to practice and champion this kind of radical belonging?
Peter Schulte
I help aspiring changemakers do good in the world and feel good in the process.