Networks Helping Networks 

We all have circles of people we are connected to, through family, block, neighborhood, an activity like a sport or children, an institution like a school or prison, or through happenstance. Some are involved in more circles than others. 

These circles of connection are about high-trust and ongoing relationships. They strengthen and support us in lives and in our networks.

Networks are vital for accessing information, opportunities, and resources not available within tight circles. Here we have a wider collection of relationships. Our networks have a broader reach, more information, and influence in complex systems. Our extended connections are worldwide, where there are between 1 and 2 million organizations involved in environmental and social justice work

Our PeaceBrook groups can exponentially increase their positive impacts by recognizing our oneness and coordinating our activities. Eg, John and I can directly work to connect one of my networks with one of John’s. An initial meeting of a leader or two from each of our networks can start us off. Here, local leaders can connect and explore common interests, goals, and, maybe, coordinate actions. 

A Chicago Westside example of building networks is the PeaceBrook community meals at rotating locations. 

 

PeaceBrook Community meals at rotating locations. 

Helping one another make this happen

  • PeaceBrook Community potluck meals at rotating places. Food, workshops on Healthy Living, meditation on oneness, and year-round organizing of projects. 
  • Bob Blecher, Steve, Manoj, CJ Wright, Dr Orr, Diana Mireles, Father Larry Dowling, Shantel Franklin (running for LeSean Ford’s seat), Richard Boykin (running for Danny Davis’s seat), and hopefully Juliana Stratton (running for Dick Dirkin’s seat). 
    • Richard Boykin would solve local crime problems by coordinating between federal and local agencies. 
    • You can’t just care about healthcare, Medicare, and community safety. You must be actively involved in local and national politics. 
  • Goal: to reach out beyond usual contacts and involve more people in the community, especially young people, elders, and working-class people who usually do not participate in community and political events. We need to bring together Blacks, Hispanics, and LGBT
  • Themes: 
    • PeaceBrook: Loving, kind, empathetic community-building 
    • Tour of the community: NAC, churches, B’hai Center, Aspire Center.  
  • Song, music, and art of PeaceBrook: Deondre & Taylor. Artist: Antonia Ruppert.

 

References:

  • The Chessboard and the Web: Strategies of Connection in a Networked World by Anne-Marie Slaughter
  • Blessed Unrest by Paul Hawken
  • The Web and the Chessboard by Paul Hawken 
  • Love is the Answer  
  • City of Refuge & 5th Sacred Thing, two novels by Starhawk. 
  • Humankind
  • Little Book of Stoicism
  • The work of Durkheim, the father of sociology