The Basic Dignity Equation
Our Work Must Be Rooted in Dignity
If you want to help people in your community break free from the fight or flight that is paralyzing so many, there is a simple and profound equation you must know: the basic dignity equation.
Here it is. When we don’t listen to people, we fail to account for and understand their reality. When we deny people’s reality, then we deny their dignity. Game over.
Right now, there are a lot of people who believe their voices don’t matter. When they have a chance to speak—which for too many is rare—they don’t feel heard. They don’t see action that reflects what matters to them.
Rigging up complex processes for civic engagement isn’t the answer. We need to listen to our community’s voices in authentic, deep, and real ways for transformation to occur.
“How about if we extend our willingness to see and hear one another? How about if we extend our willingness to afford dignity to each and every individual as a God-given right?”
When People Feel Heard, We Move Forward
I’ve seen this in my work with communities for over 30 years in towns like Flint, MI, Red Hook, NY, and Newtown, CT. I’m seeing it right now in Reading, PA, Lexington, KY, and Clarksville, TN—three communities that are moving forward on new community-driven education and community agendas at a time when acrimonious debates on such topics as critical race theory, school board elections, and masks signal nothing but division.
Each and all of these communities are moving forward because the voices of the community are being heard, people’s reality is understood, and their dignity affirmed.
The cure for the civic virus plaguing our nation will come in large part from mobilizing our local communities. And without honoring people’s basic dignity, the game is over before we start.
What’s Really Going On In Our Nation?
Conventional wisdom–and virtually every politician and media outlet in the country–will tell you that Americans are more polarized than ever before. Conventional wisdom is wrong. The Harwood Institute’s groundbreaking report, Civic Virus: Why Polarization Is a Misdiagnosis. can help you better understand what ails our country and how you can help build a more hopeful path forward. Learn more about America’s Civic Virus here.
For over 30 years, The Harwood Institute has created breakthroughs on how to address the hardest and most vital societal challenges and strengthen our civic culture. Our approach has spread to all 50 U.S. states and 40 countries because it works. Through each part of our work, we are dedicated to catalyzing a larger force for change in the world. Want to step forward and take action to transform your community?