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- The Optimistic Anthropologist Volume 33
The Optimistic Anthropologist Volume 33
Building right relationships with one another and communities!
OCTOBER 2020 | VOLUME 33
Dear ,
The work that I do at Optimistic Anthropology is built on my beliefs that there can be a better and more equitable future and that people have the capacity to “learn into” creating that future.
However, learning capacity is predicated on people being able 1) to try new things, fail, and adapt in service of advancing efforts toward a specific goal; as well as 2) recognize that the
status quo
is not sufficient, and change is necessary. For any of us to be able to do this requires an enabling environment that strikes a balance between safety and urgency.
2020, however, has not been a year of balance for many folks (myself included). Looking at the world all around us, I’ve seen many people (and teams and organizations)
– fight, flight, or freeze. This response is powerful are in a pretty persistent state of amygdala hijack - or as it’s more commonly referred to in both positive and negative ways. It helps us respond to
danger, but it does so by literally shutting down the parts of our brains that enable us to learn.
But, the reality is that no matter what happens during the election in November, there is going to be tremendous work to do in the coming months and years to cure COVID-19, to undo systemic racism, end economic disparity, redesign our social safety net, and rebuild belief in government and one another. This work will require all of us to change, and to draw on our tremendous learning capacity.
We won’t be able to access it individually and do this work collectively without creating cultures of safety and trust within our teams, organizations, cross-sector collaborations, and communities.
Over the last month, I’ve facilitated two different sessions that very much felt in the spirit of creating cultures of safety and trust. One was a
as part of Welcoming America and the Weaving Community’s
where together with some thought-provoking questions, a group of strangers were able to be vulnerable and share honestly with each other about their experiences and perceptions. The other was the first of Optimistic Anthropology’s
where a group of colleagues had the chance to be together, try something new in a no stakes setting, and take a break from their day-to-day work.
Which got me curious about how others are doing this.
Be well, do good, and keep each other safe,
P.S. I'm looking for some additional projects to take on in 2021 (there will be much to do)! Check out what types of work I do! | Schedule time to chat.
LATEST
At Optimistic Anthropology, we seek to work with folks who want to transform our world’s systems from ones that oppress, exploit, and manipulate people to ones that empower and unleash humans’ potential. To do this, we need to change how individuals and organizations relate to one another. Which all connects to a question that
recently emerged from from work with a client –
how might social change organizations be in right relationship with communities?
Looking for a creative and fun way for your team to feel connected, learn together, and take a break from work? Need something fun and out-of-the-box to do at your upcoming staff retreat or holiday party? Book one of our Collaborate, Learn & Craft Workshops for organizations and teams! Learn more about the workshops or email Alison for more details today!
The world and economy are tumultuous right now, but folks we know are still recruiting. So like every month, we're sharing
. It is our monthly round-up of job, consulting, and fully- funded fellowship and accelerator opportunities that people and organizations connected to Optimistic Anthropology are recruiting for.
(our list reaches ~1200 great people!)
GOOD LISTENS & WATCHES FROM OCTOBER 2020
We love music, podcasts, and documentaries! Here's what we have been listening to and this past month!
Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution (Netflix). This doc tells the story of a quirky overnight camp for teens and adults with disabilities, and how its campers became key advocates fighting for disability rights in the U.S.
It's Been a Minute With Sam Sanders: 'They've Dismissed Us': How Latino Voter Outreach Still Falls Short (Podcast episode for October 20, 2020). Latinos are the second largest group of eligible voters by race or ethnicity in the U.S., but they continue to be misunderstood and "Hispandered to" by political campaigns of all parties.
David Byrne's American Utopia (HBO). I sang its praises when Byrne and his band toured with this material in 2018, and again when he took it to Broadway in 2019. It remains as inspiring and joyful (and even more necessary) in this documentary version which Spike Lee directs!
Untold Killing (Podcast). I'm back in Sarajevo, and as coincidence would have it there's a new limited podcast series about the genocide at Srebrenica and I'm already learning new things. Here are a few photos from my August 2019 visit to Srebrenica.
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helps organizations and cross-sector collaborations trying to solve some of the world's toughest problems - racism, genocide, health inequity, poverty - answer two critical questions: 1) How did our current reality come to be? and 2) What will it take to shape a positive and equitable future.
We can help with: Developing cross-sector collaborations and community engagement strategies. Building your team's emergent learning and emergent strategy practices. Articulating theories of change and evaluation plans. Conducting qualitative research and creating learning experiences.Learn more about OA | Read what our clients and collaborators have to say | Say hello or schedule time to chat.
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