Us vs. Them & Power Dynamics and Antidotes
The image below depicts some of the common us vs. them and power dynamics that can emerge at the intersections between Community and Systems. The table under the image provides antidotes to these dynamics – actions and mindsets that can support you to move in new and more productive ways.
| Principle | Antidotes |
| Communities recognize their power and agency. | Deeply and authentically engage community on needs; Develop systems that are responsive to community needs**, (e.g. check-in with community on responsive design, implement, then check-in with community on early results, impact on disparities, etc.; then iterate and evolve strategies based on community feedback);Support systems to evolve and change as the community changesSet up specific opportunities to check in, reflect and adapt. |
| Organic and adaptive models are seen as legitimate. | Build legitimacy for organic and adaptive models; Redefine success and question if your metrics are designed to legitimize technical solutions. |
| Bridge across inside/outside differences to work together for greater impact; identify shared goals; be willing to adapt ways of working; be transparent with decision making. | Deeply and authentically engage community on needs; Develop systems that are responsive to community needs**, (e.g. check-in with community on responsive design, implement, then check-in with community on early results, impact on disparities, etc.; then iterate and evolve strategies based on community feedback); Support systems to evolve and change as the community changesSet up specific opportunities to check in, reflect and adapt. |
| Validate multiple approaches to engagement and decision-making; claim and acknowledge personal power. | What is your first memory of engaging with people and making decisions? Explore how you first learned to engage and make decisions (with family, friends, etc). How does your experience compare to how others around you engage and make decisions? Take time to understand and identify the dominant decision-making and engagement processes and reflect on why these are the dominant models used; Identify and familiarize yourself with a variety of engagement and decision-making approaches.** |
| Acknowledge that there are multiple ways of knowing and value all ways | Ask everyone what they know and how they know it; Listen; Believe people; Be willing to question why you value the ways of knowing you value most; Question institutions that privilege one way of knowing above others: Why do they believe that? What does that privileging protect? |
| Share power at all stages of funding allocation to ensure community perspective on the implications of distribution decisions | Adopt community-centric fundraising principles; Engage in participatory budgeting; Utilize no wrong-door policies. |
**Check out the Building Systems Awareness Resource List