Another way is possible
Do you believe transformation towards justice is possible?
I mean, really believe it?
At nINA, we recently updated our theory of transformation. At its core, are three non-negotiables for transformation:
Center relationships
Ground in shared values, vision, and agreements
Believe that change is imperative & possible
By staying grounded in these three non-negotiables, we have weathered adversity and fostered a nimble structure that is supportive to both cooperative members and our partner organizations. We interrupted the notion that colleagues committed to this work are our competitors, and instead we value them as our community - knowing we are all necessary for true transformation. We experiment and prototype internally to see what an equitable and inclusive organization may look like, and we keep pushing towards change and transformation. These three non-negotiables have kept us grounded and focused on our mission while we also prioritize our individual and collective wellness.
Our experience has shown us that transformation is possible. We have seen it with our partners and within our work. It is messy. It is slow. But it is also inspiring and connecting, and it is certainly possible.
As Martin Luther King Jr. said in his speech in Atlanta, GA to the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in August of 1967 :
“Difficult and painful as it is, we must walk on in the days ahead with an audacious faith in the future…Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.”
But let us also remember that it does not bend towards justice on its own. We must believe it is possible, and we must be diligent in our work to make it so. Right now, there are people with political power who are doing their best to bend it back from the recent progress that has been made.
As we reflect on the call of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., we invite you to both imagine a world in which our community has bent towards justice and to commit to bend the arc towards justice in any way you can.