It's about Power

If we are going to have a conversation about justice and equality, we must have an honest conversation about power. 

Here are some short (and generalized) thoughts for emerging allies as it relates to power.

For our purposes here, there are two basic approaches to power.

One approach seeks to gain power OVER others. This approach relies on tactics of domination. This approach seeks to oppress, suppress, exploit, marginalize, exclude, alienate or control.

I happen to be a Christian, and if you'll allow me to draw from my own faith tradition for a moment, I will suggest that an alternative approach to power is demonstrated in the life of Jesus.

There is this part of the Bible that says Jesus had the power of God, but instead of using that power for personal gain, he humbled himself as a servant and poured out his power on behalf of others. The Bible goes on to say that we should have this same mindset. 

Where worldly power seeks power OVER others, the approach we see from Jesus demonstrates power UNDER others, through humility and service. This makes way for power WITH others, through community and fellowship. Potential allies have a choice to make. We can use power in a dominating way, or we can try to use power like Jesus did.

We must ask ourselves (1) who has power in our community? (2) How is that power being used? (3) Is power being abused? (4) Who is being left out?

 

It is possible to be complicit in the "power over" mindset even if we are not actively oppressing others. Responsible use of power begins with a refusal to take part in or benefit from the tactics of domination.This begins with an examination of our own actions, but also extends to examination of the actions of others, our systems, and our structures. 

Finally, the concept of privilege is directly tied to our perspective on power. I am a straight white Christian male. This is a position of privilege. I can choose to use my position of privilege for personal comfort and gain, or I can recognize my privilege and act honorably.

Simply stated, privilege is power. If you have privilege, you have advantages and benefits that others do not have. How will you use your power? Will you use your privilege to make things better for yourself? Or will you seek way to use your privilege as a platform to amplify and highlight the voices of those not being heard?