Making space for imperfection in activist spaces (w/ Mazin Jamal)

Wider Roots

“So how can we create such rich belonging, that there's room to challenge each other without fearing that we're going to be kicked out of the group?”

In this episode, we’ll be exploring that question and many other questions about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) with Mazin Jamal, co-founder of Holistic Underground. We dive into how we stay grounded as facilitators when we’re supporting groups to look at race, privilege, and equity.

Check out the episode page for the transcript and all the resources related to this episode: https://widerroots.com/2

Key takeaways

• Bringing Levity: Use humor and lightness when dealing with weighty topics to help keep things in perspective. This allows the group to stay regulated and think clearly. [00:10:09]
• Orienting Toward Love and Liberation: Come from a place of care and freedom rather than just fixing problems. This creates a generosity of spirit that is more sustainable.
• Keeping Groups Regulated: Help everyone stay grounded and resourced rather than reactive. This allows for cooperation and completion of the necessary conversations. [00:15:08]
• Grounding in Shared Vision and Values: Keep bringing it back to the “eyes on the prize” and the shared care. This connects to the deeper reasons people are engaged.
• Living the Change We Wish to See: Model the kind of community we want to build in how we organize and work together. [00:21:25]
• Making Space for Imperfection and Redemption: Have compassion for our own and others’ humanity. This reduces defensive othering when we all accept we are on a journey. [00:26:25]
• Developing ancestral spiritual cleansing practices: Use techniques grounded in one's ancestry to energetically care for oneself when dealing with heavy topics over time. [00:37:14]
• Helping People Find Their Niche: Support folks in locating the intersection of their experiences, skills, and passions so they can sustainably contribute over the long haul.

Resources & Links

• This Is An Uprising - Book about the momentum organizing model, where Jeremy first learned about Ghandi’s idea of “prefigurative” organizing (living the world we want to see now).
• Characteristics of White Supremacy Culture - Mazin mentions this list indirectly when he brings up perfectionism.
• New Blue Sun - Andre 3000's new flute album
• The Emerald Podcast
• The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

Connect with Mazin

• Holistic Underground - JEDI consulting, fiscal sponsorship, and impact incubator for spiritual innovation
• EmbraceCommunity.co - Community events in the Bay Area that Mazin helps organize.
• @mazinjamal_ - Mazin on Instagram

Follow the podcast

• WiderRoots.com - Join the newsletter for more resources on personal + systemic transformation
• @WiderRootsPod - Follow the podcast on Instagram to get a peek behind the scenes
• Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts to help others find this show!

Connect with Jeremy on his coaching website.