Understanding Power and Building Better Communities
How Power Works in Our Daily Lives
Some people like to be in charge. Others are willing to let them lead. This push and pull shapes almost everything around us - at work, in schools, in government, and even with family and friends.
Power at Work
-
Some people make the decisions. Others have to explain what they do.
-
Some people's time matters more than others.
-
Some people's ideas get heard. Others get ignored.
Power in Government
Politicians mostly care about getting re-elected. They use their jobs to make money for themselves. They try to beat their “enemies” instead of solving problems.
Power in Schools
Teachers treat students differently based on:
-
Where they come from
-
How they look
-
Who their parents are
Power in Healthcare
Your background affects:
-
How long you wait
-
How well doctors treat you
-
Whether doctors believe you
Everyday Examples
Power shows up in small ways too:
-
When a man and woman get in a taxi, the man opens the door and talks to the driver
-
At community meetings, some complaints get fixed right away while others are ignored
-
At parties, a few people do most of the talking
-
In families, one or two people make decisions
-
Friend groups have unspoken rules about timing and activities
-
Store workers treat customers differently based on quick judgments
-
Tall people and those with deep voices get more respect
How Power Works
Power affects these main areas:
Getting Attention
-
Whose ideas matter right away
-
Who gets noticed when they walk in a room
-
Whose problems get solved first
Time and Schedules
-
Whose plans everyone else works around
-
Who can be late without getting in trouble
-
Who can make others wait
Space
-
Whose comfort comes first
-
Who has to move out of the way
-
Whose space gets respected
Rules and Behavior
-
Who gets judged harshly for their actions
-
Who decides what's acceptable
-
Who others copy
Getting Resources
-
Who gets the best stuff first
-
Whose special requests get approved
-
Who controls shared things
Having a Voice
-
Whose opinions change what the group does
-
Who has to be careful about giving feedback
-
Whose complaints get attention
Who Has Less Power
People with less power often include those who:
-
Make less money
-
Are people of color
-
Are women
-
Are older or younger
-
Have disabilities
When people don't have power, it leads to problems like:
-
Drug and alcohol abuse
-
Being cut off from others
-
Getting sick more often
These patterns continue because of how we grow up, how our systems work, and how we learn to see ourselves and others.
Building a Better Way: Working Together
Here's a basic truth: every person has equal worth. We're all part of the human family. What makes us different matters less than what we share. We all have many identities, but being human is what counts most.
The Power of Community Support
There's an old saying: "It takes a village to raise a child." This means children do best when lots of caring people help them - parents, family, teachers, neighbors, and community members. This idea works for all parts of life, not just raising kids.
Better Ways to Talk to Each Other
Speaking Without Hurting Marshall Rosenberg taught people “nonviolent communication” — how to point out specific problems without putting others down with broad generalizations. Loretta Ross suggests "calling in" — talking with kindness instead of harsh judgment. Van Jones said activists should admit their mistakes more and lecture less.
Democratic Places
We can change our institutions to support learning from each other and helping each other. Schools could become places where:
-
Students learn from teachers but feel free to ask questions and think for themselves
-
Students get help with their feelings and well-being
-
Teachers help students learn social skills and handle emotions in healthy ways
-
Families and staff make decisions together
-
School buildings serve the whole community for lifelong learning
-
All schools get what they need to do well
Churches and community centers can also practice democracy.
Leading Together
Instead of one person making all the decisions, leaders can include everyone. Organizations work better when people at all levels can hold leaders accountable. This means:
-
Regular meetings where everyone affected can contribute
-
Hearing all sides of issues
-
Respectful questions and discussion from everyone
-
Leaders actively ask for and listen to helpful criticism
-
Group members exercise leadership when they have good ideas
-
Understanding that good ideas can come from anyone
Balancing "Me" and "We"
What's good for individuals and what's good for the community can support each other. When others do well, we do well too. This creates equal relationships with:
-
Trust, caring, and respect
-
Give and take on both sides
-
Careful listening and honest talking
-
Conversations where everyone gets to participate
-
Group discussions that welcome all voices
-
People learn from and support each other
Making Lasting Change
In her book A Paradise Built in Hell, Rebecca Solnit shows that when people help each other during disasters, the good effects continue after the crisis ends. Groups that practice deep caring can help build the foundation for real social progress. Personal growth, helping each other, and community development work together to create positive change.
Making It Happen
Here are practical steps to make these ideas real:
-
Schools, churches, and community centers focus more on peer learning and mutual support
-
Regular community meetings address specific problems with all sides being heard
-
Mental health and addiction programs rely more on peer support
-
Public spaces become centers for lifelong learning
-
Organizations create ways for members to have real input
-
Groups give everyone time to speak
-
Small teams and groups build a Bottom-Up Community (see Chapter One)
The goal is to build communities where people share core values and work steadily for greater fairness and mutual respect. This commitment to working together and showing compassion can help Americans "promote the general welfare" and move toward "a more perfect union."
NOTES:
-
Steve Gerritson, Yahya Abdal-Aziz, Mary Hudson, and ClaudeAI helped edit this piece.
-
For more information and analysis, vist Resources and Actions.