so, i have not published anything here in a long time, but now i've something new to share.
these are my notes of the presentation i gave in my social justice class about "Integral Theory, Spiral Dynamics, and Social Justice".
In this presentation i try to have a look at Racism from the point of few of Spiral Dynamics and Integral Theory.
So, here it is:
Suppose we took everything that all the various world
cultures have to tell us about human potential and the world around us, about
psychological, and social growth, about science, religion and spirituality.
What if we tried to identify the basic patterns that connect
these pieces of knowledge? What If we tried to create a map that touches on all
these important factors.
Before getting into this, I want to make sure: this is just
a map. Its not the territory. Don’t confuse the map. Don’t think by looking at
the map, you know the territory. But also, if you go on a road trip, you’d
rather have a map with you, cause otherwise you might never get to where you
want to get.
Integral theory is a framework that tries to integrate
different ways of knowledge, from
ancient sages to modern science and put it in one model.
Integral theory sees that there is
different states of consciousness that we are on (waking, dreaming, sleeping),
it takes into account that there is different levels of development
(example:preconventional = egocentric; conventional=ethnocentric; post
conventional = worldcentric) that there is different lines of development
(cognitive, interpersonal, emotional, moral, psychosexual), and that there is
at least a masculine and a feminine aspect to everything.
One main framework that integral theory works with a
4-quadrant model.
Every mayor language has, what we call 1st 2nd
and 3rd person pronouns.
If I am speaking to you about my bike. There is the “I”, the
you and the it.
You and I together form the “we”
So, you can look at every event from the point of view of
“I” (how I personally feel about it)
From the “WE”, how not just I, but all of us see the event
And from the “IT” – the objective facts of events.
The 4 perspectives with which you can look at every occasion
are:
I – top left- inside of individual – individual thoughts,
feelings, sensations, (everything 1st person)
It – top right - outside of individual – physical
individual: my cells, organs, but also my physical behavior, the way I dress.
When inside is feelings, outside sees a limbic system, when
inside has desires, the outside sees the neurocortex,
Inside is the subjective, outside the objective, and both of
them are right according to integral approach.
We – bottom left - inside of collective – group consciousness,
our culture,
Its – bottom right - outside of collective – social
dimension – how we manifest culture, the infrastructure we build, etc.
All 4 of these quadrants need to be included if you want to
be as integral as possible, and all 4 of those show growth, development and
evolution.
One model that is often used together with integral theory
is a developmental model called “spiral dynamics”.
Spiral dynamics is a framework for understanding different
value systems. First formulated by Dr. Clare Graves and put into a book by Don
Beck and Christopher Cowan.
It gives a way of understanding human differences without
the invalid cathegories of race or class, and a language to describe
differences that transcend superficial categories.
4 key points to his theory:
1.
Human
nature is not static, nor is it finite. Human nature changes as the conditions
of existence change.
2.
When
a new system or level is activated, we change our psychology and rules for
living to adapt to those new conditions.
3.
We
live in a potentially open system of values with an infinite number of modes of
living available to us. There is no final state to which we must all aspire.
4.
An
individual, a company, or an entire society can respond positively only to
those managerial principles, motivational appeals, educational formulas, and
legal or ethical codes that are appropriate to the current level of human
existence" (Beck and Cowan 1996).
So, what does all of this have to do with racism?
Purple: survival of family, tribe, clan, preserve our kind,
stranger and outsider is feared, not trusted, gender and age roles are rigid
and important.
Examples: urban gangs, KKK, white supremacy groups, Mafia
Red: centers on power, appearance, territorial and personal
dominance, self serving, often violent, brutal, , focus on power, conquest,
expression of power,
Examples: intra racial gang violence, inter ethnic
conflicts, protest marches
Blue: racism as a social construct to maintain segregation,
division. Uses polarized thinking (us/them), rigid cathegories, classes,
crusades, traditions. Uses “holy books” and “the law” to justify unequal
behavior. Rules for proper behavior, seeks to keep things as they are. Flags,
hymns, etc
Examples: U.S before&during Civil rights movement until
now, Apartheid before mandela, conservative groups
Orange: seeks competitive advantage, achievement, vies for
economic niches, avoids racism and sexism, even plays down racial and ethnic
heritage for success, focuses on strategies, free markets, status. Is only
inclusive if benefits bottomline.
Examples: anti affirmative laws, corporate America
Green: at this level racism is reactionary, can be exclusive
and intolerant, social action missionaries who use discrimination to enforce
equality. Egalitarianism based on denial of differences. Focuses on equality,
community, feelings, earthiness, consensus, and human harmony.
Examples: Politically Correct movement, Anti racism groups,
The article suggests that racism is only truly overcome in
the second tier, because at that stage competence is overriding differences.
Read quote:
3 modes for change:
1.
Bureaucratic
model (top down): addressing institutional structures of exclusion.
Primary way of success: work through institutions that perpetuate learning of racism: family, schools, church, workplace, government.
Primary way of success: work through institutions that perpetuate learning of racism: family, schools, church, workplace, government.
2.
Grassroots
model (bottom up): create systems of greater equality, create contact between
different groups, reducing socioeconomic competition, and status inequality,
example: civil rights movement.
3.
Heart
Model (inside out): focus on internal transformation through heart/mind/spirit:
“finding, nurturing, and creating conditions that promote care” combined with
internal transformation of value systems
Sources:
The Integral Vision: A Very Short Introduction to the Revolutionary Integral Approach to Life, God, the Universe, and Everything by Ken Wilber (Aug 14, 2007)
