Build Multi-Cultural Communities

Build Multi-Cultural Communities

We actually have to do a great deal of work to build healthy multi-cultural communities, because we don’t have a lot of good modeling of what this looks like. It is going to take a lot of work, because much of what shapes the dynamics of power, particularly for hetero-normative white culture (dominant culture) is invisible by design. These dynamics flourish because they often exist beneath the level of articulated social discourse. And because economic and social power is often concentrated in these networks, those with this power are often able to exempt themselves (ourselves) from being held accountable, and to insulate themselves (ourselves) within networks of people who look, talk, and act like they (we) do.

Our work at the Restorative Practices Alliance always takes place in a circle, because a circle has no head. No one is at the top; no one is at the bottom. In a circle, every point on the perimeter is equi-distant from the center. This is a symbolic representation of equity. In a circle, there are no privileged locations. Every position is the same distance from the center.

As soon as we try to sit in circle we will have to be committed, because power, embodied in people, accustomed to itself, will violate. And then it will need to be held accountable. And we’ll have to have strong agreements, not only with words, but with methods to hold people accountable. This will be hardest for the people whose social locations (race, gender, class) are most centered. They will squirm. Because the mental illnesses of racism, sexism, and dominance–are neither ones that we talk about, nor are they ones that are commonly diagnosed. But if you can hold tight to one another, and overcome this fragility (it’s fragility, people), you will develop a resilient community. And the people who fought it the hardest will benefit from it most in terms of their mental well-being. Everyone will benefit. And then you’ll know, firsthand, what it feels like to be part of a multi-cultural community. And once this has happened, you’ll never be interested in being part of a community that isn’t multicultural again.