A System That Works For Everyone
"We have the extraordinary opportunity to build something much better for the future."
—Heather Cox Richardson
Imagine diverse groups pulling together to build a country that works for everybody. We would be an unstoppable force – incredibly powerful, creative and fun.
"In order to build lasting majorities that support justice, we have to be open to framing our issues, our causes, what we believe in in terms of "we" and not just ‘us’ and ‘them.’ "
—Barack Obama
Our familiar silo strategy – working our own individual issue, going in different directions and pushing each other away – is outdated.
"We are the majority, never forget that...And if we bring people together, we succeed."
—Bernie Sanders
If we are to build the next great phase in our country’s magnificent experiment in inclusion and diversity, we must move forward from a foundation of our common experiences and goals.
Seesaw
As hierarchy builders move farther out, they approach the end of the seesaw.
Our Path
On the equality side of the seesaw, we focus on ourselves, not on rescuing the other side.
Hierarchical Profile
The higher and lower roles we all play bring insights, compassion, and unity.
Our Team
Our winning team is built on skills, wisdom and knowledge gained from single-issue work.
Common Language
A comprehensive language enables us to safely communicate about shared experiences, goals, and issues.
Clues
The common language of hierarchies is built upon “Clues” – predictable patterns no matter who is on top or bottom.
Set Them Up
We redirect a hierarchist’s rhetoric or policies so that they become difficult or even impossible to implement.
Role Reversals
Role Reversals uncover elusive hierarchies, for example, in religions.
Conversations With The Top
Interactions with people who build and support hierarchies can be tricky; six techniques help us avoid traps.
Typical Top Behaviors
Actions and speech that promotes inequality is not just another opinion.