THE WILDFIRE PROJECT on Transforming Toxic Movement Culture /110
Photo by Shane Rounce
In this time of revelation and disintegration, we are being required to come together in order to navigate the present and create the future. However, more often than not, coming together is not enough – we must be willing to work through our preconditioning, conflict, and imperfections to holistically recognize an authentic vision and set of values. In order for our social movements to be the strongest they can be and successfully guide us through turbulent times, we must tend the needs of both the individual and the group. This week, Joshua Kahn, BJ Star, and Michael Strom from The Wildfire Project join Ayana in a conversation on toxic movement culture, thinking about power structurally, generative conflict, self-limitations, and collective liberation as social movements adapt to ever changing terrain.
“The Wildfire Project strengthens movements for ecological, racial, and economic justice by supporting organizations to transform, and spread a thriving culture: resilient in the face of changing terrain; grounded in history, vision, and strategy; connected to a “north star” bigger than themselves; building across identity; and prepared to grow and win. We do this through deep facilitation using democratic, experiential methods: fusing political education and skills training with personal and group transformation in a curriculum tailored to specific needs of grassroots activism. Wildfire develops leadership of frontline groups, and maintains long-term support with the communities with which it works.”
Whether or not you are directly engaged in movement building or are an organizer, this is an episode you will not want to miss. Joshua, BJ, and Michael weave strategy on handling disappointment and harm, stepping into our power, and the politics of collapse and rebirth. We hope you will set aside some time this week for yourself to tune in and be reminded of the multitudes of ways in which we can fruitfully embody this life and the many complexities and contradictions that color our ways of knowing and engagement.
♫ Music is "Rising Like Flowers” by The Peace Poets and "Wake Up Warriors" and "We Are Not Afraid" by The Wildfire Project.
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To learn more about how members of activist organizations can apply to become a Wildfire Partner, visit https://www.wildfireproject.org/
For The Wild is a slow media organization dedicated to land-based protection, co-liberation, and intersectional storytelling. We are rooted in a paradigm shift away from human supremacy, endless growth, and consumerism. As we dream towards a world of grounded justice and reciprocity, our work highlights impactful stories and deeply-felt meaning making as balms for these times.