Issue 49: Individualism
A social theory favoring freedom of action for individuals over collective or state control.
Picture Description: Four 90s groups are pictured clockwise TLC, 112, EnVogue, and Jodeci.
Check-In:
On a car ride a few months ago, my husband and I reminisced about how in the 90s it was all about the R&B groups and how today we primarily see single artists. The result of the conversation is a fantastic playlist that we now listen to whenever we are in the car.
Now, all the “UnSung” specials have shown that being in a music group wasn’t all sunshine and roses but it was a connection for me that the shift from group to individual isn’t just in music.
I have written a lot about coalition building because I believe in the power of the group. And when we get the folks that bring their strengths to that group, it’s like EnVogue singing a cappella - powerful and knocks you off your feet.
But just like distrust and money broke up many of our beloved R&B groups, distrust has also made us lose faith in the collective as a framework. It shouldn’t be surprising as the United States is built on the concept of individualism but it feels even stronger today. And our institutions are not showing themselves to be pillars of morality or equity leading to a decline in church attendance and disinterest in connecting to a governing body, large business, or employer.
I remember a co-worker talking to me about how I was building my “personal brand.” Before he said it, I never thought about it and it rubbed me the wrong way. It made me wonder if I was succumbing to the individualism that has become commonplace. I know social media plays a role here but it also shows up in people deciding to leave their school district or organization and start their own consulting firm.
The shift away from the group is everywhere. But is everyone having their own “thing” doing anything to make our environment better for the next generation or are we just perpetuating what has gotten us to this place?
#mondaymotivation: "If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together." -African Proverb
Interview with a Leader of the Global Majority:
Lisa Williams was an equity officer for a large district in Virginia. She is currently an education consultant. These comments are the personal reflections of Lisa and her experiences, they do not reflect the opinions of her former employer. Another excerpt of Lisa’s Interview is available in Issue 43-Limits.
Mary: What are some of the challenges you face in this role?
Lisa: I say that one of the major challenges is dealing with the pace at which organizations work
Lisa: So you're always busy, which is, which is a fundamental tenant of systems of oppression.
Lisa: Keeping you so busy that you can't even be reflective in ways that you could be creative enough to do something different
Lisa: So number one, recognizing the pace at which we work is part of the problem.
You can read more from Lisa in “Leading Within Systems of Inequity in Education: A Liberation Guide for Leaders of Color”. Please let me know if you would like to be interviewed and/or recommend someone to be profiled in this section. I need new interviews!
What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To:
READING: Colored Television is the latest work by Danzy Senna. The book explores race in entertainment. Senna does a great job of tackling a serious topic in a way that is engaging and a fast read. You can find a full list of my book recommendations here. Please note that I am an affiliate with Bookshop.org and receive a small compensation for your purchase when you use the book links provided.
LISTENING TO: This 90s R&B group playlist isn’t the one my husband created but it will give you all the harmonies and songs longer than 3 minutes that you need.
WATCHING: TLC Forever is a documentary on the R&B group.
How to Continue to Support Leading-Within:
Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.
Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!
Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect for starting a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!
Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.
If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.
Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network!
This was a really interesting post, Mary. You got me thinking about the role of individualism and how it is playing out in our systems today. Also, side note. I literally started reading Colored Television last night...enjoying it so far and eager to see where it goes.