Let’s Talk About Power
Using the information available to you in the attached document, describe the importance of power in organizations (BPP, USA Government, Community, Institutions-use the reading) and identify the various types observed in the reading and the video. Make sure that you define power too.
*Include the use of sources of power and positions of power (who has it, what kind).
Identify power that is visible, hidden, and invisible.
Can you identify if the spaces where decisions were being made in the context of the reading and video are closed (think board meetings), invited (think town halls), or created/claimed spaces (think grassroots movements)?
Can you identify if the events described in the reading have the power to impact the public (think environment like employment), private (think marriage, family) and intimate (think self-esteem, internal oppression)?
Think of an issue today, what can you learn from the Black Panther Party? Are you able to identify tactics they used that you could use? Here are some questions to help guide your thought process.
* Do you have power? If so, what kind? Where can you exercise it? What do you do with it?
• What can we do in our organizations?
• What initiatives can we take with others in our networks?
• Who are our allies and collaborators?
• What collective power do we have now?
• What power do we need to develop and mobilize?
• What help do we need from others?
