Beneath the Surface: Why Engaging in a Systems Analysis Matters for Narrative Power Builders (And Everyone Else)
We know from our movement’s history that racist violence is often the tip of a much larger iceberg. Underneath its surface are structural roots that extend across institutions throughout time. History has also shown that if we do not address these roots we are bound to experience the same violence and crises again and again.
In the midst of chaos, we need to prioritize reducing harm and provide support for the most vulnerable groups. That’s why it’s important for those working towards racial justice to understand and address both the violence in front of us and the structural roots that undergird that violence.
Beneath the Surface is a toolkit that harvests learnings from Race Forward’s narrative power building work to support the work of other narrative practitioners in the field. Advocates can use this toolkit to:
- Reveal the importance of engaging in root cause analysis in addressing racial inequities and rising authoritarianism
- Emphasize the need for systems analysis in narrative powerbuilding
- Introduce the Iceberg Activity, a systems analysis tool to identify root causes and long-term, systemic solutions
- Share major takeaways from a Race Forward Weavers Lab systems analysis discussion led by Weavers Lab participants