Episode 05: Advancing Just, Multiracial Democracy with john a. powell

Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast

On this episode of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast, Julie Nelson, Senior Vice President of Programs at Race Forward and john a. powell, Director, Othering and Belonging Institute, come together in a conversation inspired by the recent essay they co-authored, “Advancing Just, Multiracial Democracy.”

Throughout the conversation, they explore the role local municipalities can play in not only defending against “democratic backsliding,” but also in expanding the very nature of democracy, which is critical with the global rise of authoritarianism and nationalism.

Julie and john’s work rests on the idea that local governments are uniquely situated to turn grim situations built on “othering” into a global movement grounded in racial justice and belonging. They examine the four principles they wrote about, which includes: 1. expanding democratic practice; 2. being explicit about who is currently included or excluded; 3. systems and structures; and 4. operationalizing and organizing for multiracial democracy.

To listen to more of Momentum: A Race Forward Podcast check us out on Apple Podcasts and Spotify and remember that you can support our work by texting “RFPOD" to 44-32. Every donation supports Race Forward’s work.

Resources (by order of mention)

Advancing Just, Multiracial Democracy (via The German Marshall Fund)

https://bit.ly/447aX7t

john a powell

https://belonging.berkeley.edu/john-powell

Democracy and Belonging Forum

https://bit.ly/3Xot32I

Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE)

https://www.racialequityalliance.org/

Racing to Justice: Transforming our Concepts of Self and Other to Build an Inclusive Society

https://belonging.berkeley.edu/racing-justice

The German Marshall Fund

https://www.gmfus.org/

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs

https://globalaffairs.org/

About Race Forward:

Race Forward catalyzes movement building for racial justice. In partnership with communities, organizations, and sectors, we build strategies to advance racial justice in our policies, institutions, and culture. Race Forward imagines a just, multiracial, democratic society, free from oppression and exploitation, in which people of color thrive with power and purpose.

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Executive Producers:

Hendel Leiva, Cheryl Cato Blakemore