Karani David’s Post

😡 😧 Watching the presidential debate and the ensuing “personality politics” I find myself feeling a wide variety of emotions – fear, rage, commitment, and a pervasive sense of helplessness. I want to help, but I don’t know how best to mobilize my efforts and make an impact at that scale (beyond voting! 💪 ). ⏰ I see our country about to careen off a cliff that I fear will take years, perhaps decades to recover from. I want to scream “wake up!” because what I see as a choice between democracy and authoritarianism seems to be played as personality politics (who is too old, who has the worse mental capacity). We’re debating the margins, not the real issue. 🗨 🗯 Perhaps that is behind my leaning into facilitation this summer. I find myself yearning for generative dialogue, for an authentic exchange of ideas, not this radicalized reality we are living on a national scale. What I can do is lean into framing conversations, meetings, decisions that matter to the people involved, that feel like progress. This wonderful quote fuels me this summer: “A more collective process where all voices are heard and a diversity of experience brought to bear on a problem produces a much richer form of democracy than the top-down version favored by modern government.” - Judy Rebick, Imagine Democracy ❣ That is what I can do to make the world more like the kind of place I believe we have the potential (and many of us have the desire) to create. I can start from that basic belief, and help the organizations we work with embrace that perspective. Social profit organizations are the strongest form of democracy I can think of, when they operate at their best. #Facilitation #Democracy #Process #Dialogue

New Government, new culture? I don’t know about you, but I find the oppositional nature of politics irksome. Where the “opposition” party argues against the governing party because, well, that’s the job description – they’re the “opposition.” Wouldn’t it be better if we had “propositional” politics instead of “oppositional” politics? Where the parties might genuinely disagree (from an ideological point of view or from a tactical perspective), but they try to build on each other’s ideas to get the best result for the people who voted for them. And imagine if that were true in your organization. Where we engage in positive conflict – ‘positive’ because your intention is genuinely positive. Creating productive tension with the sole purpose of making things better. Along with this is the golden rule of “no complaint without recommendation.” A synonym for a complaint without a recommendation is… whingeing. No one likes a whinger. Share if you agree. Let me know if you don’t.

I’m excited to return to the TEDx stage in Sonoma on March 2nd to speak about Courageous Democracy. We’ve got big challenges to take on and want diverse voices to address them together. Especially in an election year, we need everyone. Back in 2015, I found myself scared about the deep (political and social) divisions in the US. My humble realization…I’ve been part of the problem. Fighting for “Us”, I inadvertently built a disdainful, black & white story about “Them.” I know from my work on courage, there’s a profound human paradox. The more we care about something – fairness, justice, democracy – the more stress we feel. That stress, left unattended, often leads us to model and even incite the behavior we deeply want to change.    Since social behavior is highly contagious, and amplified in groups, under stress, we all can act in ways counter to our values. That doesn’t make us evil, it makes us deeply human. Here’s the good news. I learned that we can learn to override our reactions, and instead model and inspire a more caring and wiser democracy, starting with families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, and even strangers. We can bridge divides, find shared values, and work together on common concerns. I learned that when we act with humility, we feel less alone, less afraid, and more hopeful. It is not always easy, but it is possible. Join me to take a stand for our sustainable democracy, your actions matters.

Apropos many conversations of late: "So often, organizations take actions based on perceived risk—whether financial, strategic, reputational, or legal, sometimes unnecessarily conceding where we don’t have to. However, have we examined what assumptions–including bias, race-based exclusion and other extraction—are underlying our concept of organizational risk? Do these ideas reflect scarcity and fear? Actual risks we can’t afford to take? For many of our organizations, answering these questions feel challenging in an environment of racial justice backlash, with the ongoing weaponizing of legal and political tools against the social sector, and many other injustices." https://lnkd.in/ezDxCir8

Rethinking Politics: It's Time for Change In life, we've all heard the age-old adage: "Don't do politics." Whether in school, at work, or in social circles, this phrase seems to echo everywhere. Reflecting on my school days, I often wondered why politics carried such a negative connotation. If it was truly detrimental, why did so many influential leaders immerse themselves in it? It took me some time to realize that politics itself isn't inherently flawed. Rather, it's the actions of a few unscrupulous individuals that tarnish its reputation. Witnessing politicians switch parties for personal gain or manipulate situations solely for their benefit can indeed disillusion anyone. But here's the truth: Politics, at its core, is about shaping the world we live in. It's about voicing our opinions, advocating for change, and striving for a better tomorrow. We need passionate individuals who genuinely care about the well-being of society to step forward and lead. It's time to redefine politics. Let's reclaim it from the clutches of opportunism and self-interest. Let's encourage integrity, transparency, and accountability at every level of governance. Only then can we build a political landscape that truly serves the people. So, to those who have hesitated to engage in politics because of its tainted image, I urge you to reconsider. Our collective future depends on active participation and the courage to challenge the status quo. Let's be the change we wish to see in politics, and together, let's forge a brighter tomorrow. #Politics #Change #Integrity #Leadership

It's time to change the way politics are discussed online by creating a safe and open social space to encourage positive and civil conversations about topics Americans care about. But How? 1. Go in with an open mind The only way to start is by listening to the voices that come from others. American author and professor, Adam Grant states, "Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: the ability to rethink and unlearn." 2. Keep discussions productive Most political talk on social media is hostile and a never-ending thread of one-sided comments. At OCOV, our live, online debates are moderated to keep conversations moving forward, allow each side to be heard and come to a civil conclusion. Let's make socializing about politics feel good again!

In a world where past meets present at the crossroads of innovation, bestselling author Antonio T. Smith Jr. unpacks his suitcase full of strategies during a deep dive with Jaylon from Juicy Vizualz. They weren't just passing time; they were rewriting economic scripts with a nod to the legacy of giants like Dr. Claude Anderson and Dr. George Fraser. Antonio, a tech maestro and literary craftsman, sprinkles wit and humor as effortlessly as he strategizes his next big move in the boardroom. His charisma isn't just for show—it lights up a room like a smartphone screen in a dark theater. With every anecdote and insight, he underscores the profound impact that historical advocacy has on today’s economic playground. Beneath his dynamic exterior lies a reverent dedication to the twin pillars of his economic philosophy—Anderson and Fraser, whose teachings are not just footnotes in his books but blueprints for building bridges over the troubled waters of systemic inequalities. It’s one thing to stand on the shoulders of giants, but Antonio plans to dance there, leading a conga line of empowered communities towards a brighter, more equitable future. #Resegregation #HistoricalAdvocacy #EconomicStrategies #SocialJustice #CivilRights #Equality #Diversity #Inclusion #RacialJustice #EconomicPolicy #HistoricalPerspective #Advocacy #SocialChange #MexitNews

New piece in The Psychologist on political polarization with Anthony English We ask the question: What is it that makes talking about politics so difficult? Most people would probably answer this question by saying: ‘other people’. But have you ever considered that maybe, just maybe, you’re part of the problem? - more in the article, which you can now find online, and in print later this month.

This script addresses several key themes: Political Hypocrisy It critiques the willingness of individuals to celebrate or align with political leaders who have caused harm, highlighting a disconnect between short-term gains and long-term consequences. Awareness and Reflection: The script encourages readers to reevaluate their actions and the implications of their choices, urging them to recognize the interconnectedness of their decisions with broader societal issues. Overall, it serves as a passionate appeal for self-awareness, integrity, and collective action in the face of political and social challenges.