Overcoming Oppression with Power

[ailsagirl]

Power Strategies

Apart from resigning into depression, what can a low power group do when the dominant group is unwilling to negotiate a change in the status quo? Basically, there is only the possibility of increasing its relative power sufficiently to compel the other to negotiate. Relative power is increased by either of two means: enhancing one's own power or decreasing the other's power.

Enhancing Ones Own Power

As I have indicated in earlier essays, empowerment involves

1. increasing one's possession of the resources on which power is based and

2. increasing the effectiveness with which the power is used.

There are three areas in which those with low power can find additional resources:

1. within one's self or group;

2. within potential allies; and

3. within the oppressor.

Nelson Mandela in his autobiographical book, Long Walk to Freedom, provides many illustrations of how he did this, even when he was a prisoner of the repressive, apartheid South African government.[1]

Much, much more

http://www.beyondintractability.org/essay/oppression-power

[yurbud]

1. good thoughts. Now we just gotta do it.

[ailsagirl]

2. Yep!!