Rashad Robinson, Zephyr Teachout, Sabrina Smith, Jonathan Smucker: The Power of Belonging

The Power of Belonging: Organizing, Democracy and Governance

Rashad Robinson, Executive Director, ColorOfChange
Zephyr Teachout, law professor, author, former candidate for Congress and Governor of New York
Sabrina Smith, California Calls
Moderated by Jonathan Smucker, Beyond the Choir and author, Hegemony How-To

Faced with both Houses of Congress and a White House controlled by people who not only disparage broad democratic participation, but are actively attempting to discredit and destroy democratic institutions themselves, we have witnessed an upsurge of civic engagement. People who value democracy and aspire to an inclusive society are stepping up to defend our values, preserve our institutions, and stand with communities that are being unduly targeted by the administration’s rhetoric and its misogynist, racist and xenophobic base. For many, this degree of civic engagement is new and unfamiliar. For some, the political divisions seem insurmountable. And for others, the need to strengthen our work is acute. So, what are our alternatives?

Community organizers working in historically marginalized communities have long known that organized communities can have an outsized impact at the local and state level. Though not always visible, organized community groups can and do play an important role in shaping political agendas, priorities and discourses. More recently, we have started to see intentional efforts to build new political formations that are more enduring and have the potential to shape the public discourse far beyond their immediate sphere of influence.

What can we learn about building power, working with elected officials and government agencies and holding those officials accountable from people who are steeped in community organizing? What will it take to build power to transform government and hold it accountable at all levels? Why is local level community organizing central to building long-term progressive power?

How do people newly engaged in organizing help to advance collective goals while also learning from and supporting efforts to address the particular needs and concerns of different communities with which they are not familiar? How is this moment of political consciousness awakening an opportunity to reconnect with our shared humanity in deeply spiritual and meaningful ways? And how is organizing changing to meet these demands?