Belonging without Othering

In this week's episode I sit down with Stephen Menendian, the Assistant Director and Director of Research at the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. We discuss his latest book, co-authored with john powell, called "Belonging Without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World." Stephen starts us off with describing what "Othering" is, and how the framework can be helpful in examining - and can work towards remediating - forms of structural marginalization and inequality. Our conversation then turns to what Stephen and john powell both regard as one of the most dangerous forces in the world today, that of ethno-nationalism, and the various "identity entrepreneurs" fueling these movements. We end on a more hopeful note, discussing how all of us can work towards fostering more Belonging - through creating and telling new stories, ones in which we all have a voice and a role to play, and through creating & expanding our identities to include parts that can connect with others. It is only on common ground that we can begin to build the kind of world we want, one based on inclusion, fairness, justice, and care.

To learn more about Stephen and john's work please visit the Othering & Belonging Institute at https://belonging.berkeley.edu/