Dual Process for Change

For change to occur, there is a dual, cyclical process at play. Personal work requires recognizing our identifiers, understanding where and how our biases manifest, while leaning into revolutionary love. It is a commitment to ongoing personal transformation. This is the everyday work of the individual. But this alone cannot create real change. Personal transformation must be connected to action: a deep commitment to creating impact within our spheres of influence, working collectively toward social transformation. 

For example, a community of educators do the personal, internal work of reflecting on their gender identities, considering where they may hold power or experience bias, which then provides a stronger perspective to think critically about the implications of practice within the school community.  After reflecting on intersectionality and gender identity, they are asked to consider: what are the implications for your practice?  After some discussion and consideration, a collective practice such as removing gendered bathroom passes emerges.  

Trying to make changes in the school community without the personal reflection of lived realities can limit the scope and impact of that change. Similarly, doing personal reflections to understand the presence of bias, power, and positionality without thinking about the implications for your practice and school community is limiting the potential of creating a more inclusive and nurturing home place for students to learn. 

Roots ConnectED considers this Dual Process as central to its work in creating long lasting change.