Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley

With the death toll in Gaza climbing past 8,500 people, including more than 3,500 children, and hundreds more being killed each day in Israel's relentless bombardment of homes and other civilian infrastructure, we at OBI join a growing global chorus of calls for an immediate ceasefire, as has been repeatedly demanded by the United Nations, and a return of the hostages. We are heartbroken by the killings and unfathomable carnage suffered both by the Palestinians in Gaza, and the Israelis attacked by Hamas on Oct. 7, when some 1,400 were killed and over 200 kidnapped, including children. We believe that all life is precious and that all people belong, and so we mourn every single loss. Our work is to build a world of belonging without othering. A feature of othering is drawing lines between those whose deaths are grievable, and those unworthy of our grief and concern. Even in the depth of our anguish, when love propels our tears and rage, we must not succumb to the drive to draw this line. Especially now, when dehumanization is widespread in governments, on the internet, in the news, in our communities, and in our bodies. All of us must vehemently reject it in all its forms and embrace the value and worth of all people. Our very survival depends on it. Full statement: https://lnkd.in/dUsCEM99

Inclusion is inconvenient … So I recently went to Germany to a Democracy and Belonging Forum convening by the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley For those who don’t know I sit on their Democracy and Belonging Advisory Board for leaders commited to bridging and belonging as a framework for countering authoritarian, hate and polarisation. In true OBI nature, I left reflecting on my own practice, new reading and research and a discomfort that is only eased with action. One of the biggest takeaways I took for speaker vanessa faloye was as we enter the AI revolution, the act of bridging or what we like to say in GORM ?unifying? will become increasingly difficult. Engaging with difference, especially in deep disagreement is hard enough, however how as we enter a world where convenience is at our fingertips and algorithms are tailored to our biases, the act of bridging will be evermore burdensome, making inclusion work more difficult in the long term. I was like ?? Cause you guys know I love me some AI, but I had never thought of it in that context. Her recommendation was to add small inconveniences back into your life as it gives you skills such as creative thinking, patience and empathy, which are all necessary to unify across differences. Do you thing the convenience of AI will deepen existing divisions ? #belonging #socialsnterprise #communitybuilding #unity

With tremendous excitement and terrifying delight, I bring you the news that my first book, Flourishing Kin, Indigenous Wisdom for Collective Well-Being, is released today by Sounds True. Through poetic expression and authentic truth-telling, I invite you to contemplate and experience a path to sustainable collective flourishing. This is the understanding that flourishing is only possible in community when we cultivate relationships with all kin, from human to more-than-human, and to our living Earth. Our shared familial bonds empower us to meet the world in all its complexity with reverence and joyous commitment to participate in the flourishing of all Life. Flourishing Kin is a lyrical journey through stories, Lands, rituals, and reckoning, embracing virtue, ethical living, and spirituality to reveal how to overcome isolation and climate anxiety, nourish healthy relationships with communities and our environment, and build strong foundations of well-being that elevate our life choices for the benefit of our whole shared home planet. I am in utter gratitude to dearest all Angelina Sacbaja, Greg Cajete, Jon Kabat-Zinn, john a. powell, Dacher Keltner, Roshi Joan Halifax, Richie Davidson, Jack Kornfield, and Tara Brach for endorsing my heartfelt, vulnerable, precious offering. Find it on: Amazon: https://lnkd.in/gKeWNKhQ Barnes & Noble: https://lnkd.in/gxxr3CUe Bookshop: https://lnkd.in/gKr3yk72 Sounds True: https://lnkd.in/gwaWPyEg

I had the honor of speaking with john powell, distinguished professor at University of California, Berkeley and the Director of the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. In this age of division and polarization, john shared a new approach that encourages us to turn toward one another in some radical ways. His new book is "Belonging without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World." Timely and provocative. Check out the highlights and take a listen (or watch it on YouTube). #loveinactionpodcast #belonging #othering #UCBerkeley #leadership #podcast #leadershippodcast #DEI #inclusion

“In this shrinking world, we have to create a world where everyone belongs, and no one is ‘othered.’ Some people say it can't be done. I say, not only can it be done, it must be done. And one of the places where it has a good chance of taking roots is right here in Oregon.” So began john a. powell's talk recently during a gathering of about 130 OCF volunteers, staff, board members and community leaders from throughout Oregon. powell (who spells his name in lowercase) directs the Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley. He says taken together, “othering” and belonging represent the “the challenge for the 21st century.”? OCF President and CEO Lisa Mensah called powell “one of the most insightful legal scholars of our time,” adding that his ideas are not abstract or academic. They are embedded in OCF’s efforts to bring people together through giving, grantmaking and volunteering.? ? “He speaks with quiet insight about the opportunity for Americans to learn to truly see one another as belonging together. His focus on belonging was the perfect note for our community foundation and its larger family of volunteers, donors and grantees.” In his talk powell explained, “‘othering’ is a generalized set of common processes that engender marginality and group-based inequality across any of the full range of human differences.” “This struggle is not just interpersonal – it is that – but it’s also structural and institutional. How we organize and design structures matters. I’m saying, ‘how do we affirmatively design structures to promote, acknowledge and celebrate?belonging.’” The concept of belonging describes more than just a feeling of inclusion or welcome, powell said. It is the social systems that give people a sense that they have power and control over their lives and share strong bonds with their community.? He said people can feel anxiety from losing that sense of belonging during periods of rapid changes, for example, in demographics, climate and in the aftermath of a global pandemic. powell noted that the support OCF and its donors provide for Oregon communities are opportunities for “bridging” work that strengthens social bonds.? OCF grants are designed to improve the lives of all Oregonians by supporting creative solutions driven by communities themselves. Lisa Mensah explained that mission begins with finding ways to foster belonging. Or as john a. powell described it, “Bridging expands the circle of human concern to build a more inclusive ‘we.’” powell is the author of several books, including the upcoming,?"Belonging without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World."?Learn more and explore resources from the?Othering and Belonging Institute: https://lnkd.in/gBxTrzx

Our book club for Belonging Without Othering just ended, but here's another virtual one. Learning happens with the community; you don't have to do it alone.

Message that was sent out yesterday from Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley It is a good time to remember that the path to justice has never been linear. Our ancestors faced insurmountable odds in every generation, and yet they prevailed. You are proof of that. No matter where you or your loved ones live in the world, we know there are many reasons to feel grief, rage, fear or despair right now. Take the time that you need to be with those feelings, to reflect, and crucially, to connect with others. Try to resist the desire to isolate. But don’t take too long, because we need you. The people you love, the people you don’t love, the planet itself—we all need you to show up as your best self for the work ahead. All of us at OBI started our day in reflection, expressing deep appreciation for the relationships we rely on every day to do this work. Even if we haven't yet met personally, those relationships include you. We need each other, and we belong to each other. When you are ready, we’ll be here. Ready to work together to build a world where every person and our planet are embraced within the circle of human concern. A world where our dignity and humanity are not only respected, but strengthened. So get some rest and care for now. Soon enough, we'll be ready to show up with clear minds, powerful research, and open hearts.

Only a few seats left! ?? Join me for a FREE month-long experience: Curiosity Is An Act of Love ?? Y’all, things have not been easy for many of us. But what guides many of us, and what I’ve heard traveling across the country to promote Seek, is that we are all guided by a desire to connect and love more deeply. Curiosity supports us in doing that. It builds deeper and more meaningful relationships, and I’ve been dreaming of a space where we can all come together to dive into this practice together. That's why I’m excited to invite you to a free unique virtual 1-month experience I’m hosting, which includes two virtual 1-hour calls on Monday, December 9 and Monday, January 13. In this month, we will be using the practices from Seek to direct our curiosity toward one person we want to build a deeper connection with. Whether you hope to strengthen bonds with loved ones, colleagues, or even yourself, we hope this experience will transform the way you understand and relate to the people around you—and help you to feel closer to them. If you’re interested, all you have to do is sign up at this link. We only have limited space, and once we reach capacity we will close sign ups. https://lnkd.in/gEWDMPbH Can't wait to get curious with y'all!

With U.S. democracy hanging in the balance, our Othering & Belonging Institute at UC Berkeley director john powell urges that, whenever possible, we build bridges — even with those who traffic in hate. “The day after you win the election, what happens to the 46, 48, 49% who voted the other way? What happens to them?” We have to care about those who we would call the losers." “This deep anxiety that we’re experiencing and that gets exploited — if I’m right, it’s in part being fueled by change. We fear that we won’t belong in this emerging world. In that sense, it may not matter as much as who wins — Democrats or Republicans, liberals or conservatives. That deep anxiety about change is still going to be with us." #election2024 with Edward W. Lempinen

Hey there! Are you finding it tough to make ends meet? Don’t worry; you’re not alone—so many of us are feeling the same way. There are plenty of great reasons to get out and vote in this upcoming election, and this is just one of them! Let’s make our voices heard together! Check out this short video. https://lnkd.in/gjerPN6F