### Part 1: Origin Story [Find the article here](https://convergencemag.com/articles/because-we-need-each-other/) "_This first article shares our origin story. We were all part of a gathering called “Because We Need Each Other,” in which 25 people from across the US came together to grapple with the impacts of a [punitive](./punishment) [pattern](./patterns) in social change/movement left spaces._" The authors share the motivation for the gathering and the importance of improving the ways we collaborate in movement spaces. "_Given the profound political moment we are in—with the unraveling of many democratic rights and freedoms—it feels more important than ever to strengthen the ways in which we come together on the left_" "_Our capacity to mobilize is strengthened by our ability to work through disagreement and come back from conflict._" They also share important insights from the gathering: "_The key takeaway from our gathering—beyond any discrete action steps—was the power of airing our questions in a trusted environment._" "Because we need each other, _we understand that we also need worldviews that reflect and commit to wholesome, spiritual practices in our movement spaces. We came together to remember, in the important words of one of our beloved Indigenous elders, that we are all cousins. And that we want to continue treating each other as relatives in our work and communities as we go forward in these times._" ### Part 2: Understanding Cancel Culture [Find the article here](https://convergencemag.com/articles/bwneo-part-2-understanding-cancel-culture/) "_Our second article focuses on how we have seen cancel culture emerge in our movements: the core elements, broad strokes, and nuances._" Erika Sasson, Celia Kutz, Kazu Haga, and Shilpa Jain first make distinctions around what constitutes [cancel culture](./cancel-culture) and what aspects they want to explore. "_What we want to discuss is the **_intra-movement_** **dynamics** that are ripping social justice communities apart, undermining the work of many organizations, and shaming and isolating individuals within the movement._" "_These dynamics, led by our more [punitive](./punishment) instincts, manifest as a culture of disposability and [othering](./othering)._" They recognize that there is a need for more nuanced terms, for example: "_One participant proposed that we use a different term: _fractures of belonging_. We will be using that phrase at different points in this article, because it better captures the impact that these dynamics can have on any [community](./community), movement, and/or organization. More importantly, it reminds us what’s at stake._" The authors then highlight 6 typical mechanisms and discuss them in more detail: - Public statements on social media - Lack of process - The accused fold - The pile-on - Lines drawn across identity - The threat of exile They write about the difficulty of resolving conflict when in pain: "_When we are acting out of trauma, the world becomes binary and the person/group perceived to be hurting us becomes the enemy._" "_Yet, when a person is acting out of personal and/or collective trauma, what they need is space, love and support—not for us to automatically agree with everything they say, or to do everything they ask without question._" "_We want to support them without appeasing them or becoming echo chambers of their trauma responses._" ### Part 3: Early Warning Signs [Find the article here](https://convergencemag.com/articles/bwneo-part-3-early-warning-signs/) "_This third article is meant to support our friends, colleagues, and communities who are struggling (or beginning to struggle) with [cancel culture](./cancel-culture) and are wondering how to identify it._" The authors provide a list of 12 early warning signs: - There’s an absence of (or decline in) generative feedback - Side conversations replace whole group conversations - Opinions about someone or some people are expressed, with onlookers piling on in agreement - People get flattened to their identities - Right/wrong binary thinking becomes more pervasive - There’s more use of “always” and “never” - People are checking out more or avoiding - Next steps aren’t included in the feedback loop (or there is no feedback loop) - There are few/no mechanisms for conflict transformation - Hurt/harm/annoyance/frustration are all being collapsed into one - Expectations for belonging are put entirely on the organization - Perfectionism is rampant This list is a very good starting point for understanding group dynamics around conflict. For us it was especially interesting that they can help an organization see how important a clear process around [conflict resolution](./conflict-resolution) is to help avoid many of these pitfalls. The article also suggests steps to take, for example learning feedback tools, creating consistent space for sharing, and getting to know each other on a deeper level. ### Part 4: Interventions & Healing [Find the article here](https://convergencemag.com/articles/bwneo-part-4-interventions-and-healing/) "_Without demonizing [cancel culture](./cancel-culture), we simultaneously recognize that, as a singular approach, it can suffocate our organizations and movements. In a [punitive](./punishment) and overly vigilant culture, when there is less space for making mistakes, we know there is less space for creativity and experimentation and less connection within and across the movement._" "_[Fear](./fear)—of being wrong, of being called out, of being taken down—does not build the kind of [imagination](./imagination), leadership, and relationships we need for the kinds of complex and multi-layered changes we are seeking in these turbulent times and for our interrelated [future](./future)._" Erika Sasson, Celia Kutz, Kazu Haga, and Shilpa Jain suggest healing interventions that help take a step back from the dynamic and then toward [conflict resolution](./conflict-resolution) in a [compassionate](./compassion) way. Each of these go into great detail, including sample responses: - Slow down to discern - Clarify your own role - Listen fully without interrupting or fixing - Offer support without prescribing the outcome - Test your assumptions about the allegation - Leave space for curiosity and possibility - Address the elephant in the room: Identity - Right-size and complexify the allegation - Ask questions about the process - Soften your approach and invite in real accountability - Reintegration into [community](./community) "_We can move towards greater interdependence at each stage of a process and recognize that most of us want healthier and more generative outcomes, even if we don’t always know how to get there._" ### Resources on Cancel Culture [Find a list of resources here](https://convergencemag.com/articles/bwneo-cancel-culture-resources/) Including: - [We Will Not Cancel Us](./book-we-will-not-cancel-us)

Mentions

Learning about Cancel Culture