Power Analysis
Contributor: The Praxis Project, www.thepraxisproject.org
The purpose of Power Analysis module is to:
- Critically explore the meaning of power and how it is implemented
- Learn how to conduct a power analysis
- Practice how to dismantle power for the purpose of making changes that support justice and equity for all
Context/Target Audience: The Praxis Project has contributed the core lesson for this module plan. It is designed for community members, non-profit organizations, social activists, or those who are interested in, or already engaged in, critical thinking related to supporting social justice movements. A Power Analysis uncovers and makes known the policies and practices that perpetuate oppression within our structures and systems. These injustices can be based on, but are not limited to: race, gender, class, and economic disparity.
The module is divided into sections that are ideally implemented in sequential order, with the Community Building first, the main lesson plan in the middle, and ending with artistic exploration or case studies and next steps.
Section 1: Becoming Conscious of Individual and Collective Experiences of Power
This opening community-building exercise allows participants to explore the ways they have come to know their own power. Through personal stories, they take into account lived experiences of power.
Section 2: Collective Power or Political Prowess
Using art and communication to explore power, the group collaborates to assess power in a number of images, resulting in the ability to see connections between personal power/empowerment and political power.
Section 3: Power Analysis with Cracking the Codes
Participants use a poetic and powerful clip from the World Trust film Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity to name and reflect upon personal, social, and systemic instances of power.
Section 4: Introduction to Power Analysis
Those who are successful in winning policy issues share one thing in common: They have an effective strategy that is based on a power analysis. This Praxis Project core lesson plan gives the tools necessary to conduct a power analysis for any problem the community faces.
Section 5: Closing: The Wisdom of Forgiveness
This heartfelt true story of forgiveness and compassion from South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission articulates love’s power to forgive, heal, and restore justice in a violent, unjust world.
Section 6: Action Steps and Resources
Here World Trust has gathered resources to support social justice networks in taking action.
