(1) Assumptions

Check how you see things

An important place to begin is to understand your own individual point of view. Few people pause in their moment of vision, possibility and purpose to ask "why do I think that this is the right thing to do?"

Check your own assumptions about how the world works - who holds what kind of influence in society? Which versions of history do you consider to be true?

Within your thinking process there will be logic leaps, and these can be hard to pick apart and identify. In 2014 I asked a young woman from a low income community to explain why she was focusing on educating parents in her community to solve youth issues. We talked for awhile and discovered that she saw the problem with youth issues as caused by a lack of parenting and values in parenting. We talked more and over time we uncovered many issues which could be contributing factors. Dire unemployment and a lack of government investment in infrastructure, including schools and public transport, may also be adding together to create a general lack of support for young people transitioning from children to independence. The logic leap she made to think that it was the parents who were at fault was a popular belief at that time. Educating parents could have massive benefits, but it was important for her to realize the bigger picture. Cycles of poverty perpetuated through investment decisions and institutionalized racism. What logic leaps are you making? What are you leaving out of the picture?

People change their understanding of the world over time, but occasionally some opinions persist, despite a bigger change of perspective. I know for myself that I used to focus on the role of government much more than the role of the business and private sector. I now have a clearer picture of how private corporations can lead changes in their communities, but I haven't stopped thinking "oh if we could only change that policy". Exploring theories of how change happens that you've held in the past can help you find your blind spots and your biases. Our world is so complex that three theories will be true at one time, so consider which ones you hold strongly, and broaden your view.

To work out your existing frame of reference, complete the writing exercise below. Once you have finished it, read through it and notice the assumptions you're making. If you can do this with a team or a group, compare afterwards and discuss the differences in belief. Who is accountable for what? Who holds what kind of power? Where is there room for movement? You can focus on the same issue or different issues.

Exercises

Writing

The following prompts could be read out loud by one member of a team, or you can write underneath them. Once you have completed this journaling process, talk to one or more other people about what you wrote. Invite them to help you see leaps in your logic or conclusions that you are drawing prematurely/without grounding. This journalling exercise was adapted from an AYCC exercise, which I believe was originally a Kotare Trust exercise.

• Identify an issue you care deeply about. Give it a name.

• How was (and is) this problem created? What decisions were made? By whom?

• Think about the impacts. Who is impacted upon – now and in the future? How? Why?

• Who benefits from the way things are currently? How? (Prompt people to think about the employment that may be generated, the profits and power.)

• Think of the power held by government... How is it created? Maintained? How is it used? How could it be used? How is it constrained?

• Think of the power held by related industries How is it created? Maintained? How is it used? How could it be used? How is it constrained?

• Think of the power held by the community, young people, elders, teachers, mothers... How is it created? Maintained? How is it used? How could it be used? How is it constrained?

• What would it take to change power relations - What kinds of power dynamics seem most promising to change? Which ones seem most central/core to the upholding of the entire system?

• Think of this in as much clarity and precision as possible.

Team discussion

Get four pieces of paper and work together to map what you notice in the following topic areas.

• What are we assuming about how change happens?

• How do our assumptions differ from what other people assume because of their different life experiences?

• Do we have people with first-hand experience of the issues in the room with us? (If not, explore why that is)

• What unique passions and talents does this group bring to the issues — and how does this affect what we see as possible?