Reflections 

Aug 3, 2026

The name of our nonprofit Community Dialogues for Action (CDA) not only reflects our research process, each word is intentional, pulling together what we believe are foundational concepts in support of our 4 pathways to social justice— forgiveness, courage and compassion, cultural humility, and radical love. At this time of major upheavals, great suffering, and constant attacks on basic rights, we want to share why these 3 concepts speak so urgently to us. We hope that you agree. 

First, our English word community derives from the Latin communitas, a word that signifies coming together in shared obligation – a “public spirit” for the common good. Physically and ideologically, CDA exists wholeheartedly within community, through partnerships with many of you all as well as with other individuals and organizations.

It’s important that we pause for a moment to recognize that there are many different types of communities. One of the distinguishing features among them is in their degree of commitment to being open, inclusive, and welcoming to all, seeking unity not sameness. Acknowledging that communities are not “fixed”, Dr. Parker Palmer, an American author and leadership educator and activist, describes communities as “true” or “false” (A Place Called Community, 1977, pgs 16-18). 

Recognizing and respecting that differences always exist, CDA seeks to discover and support connections, to be what Palmer would consider a true community. Often buried beneath differing perspectives and identities, the interconnections that CDA seeks are to co-create shared visions for the fulfillment of its mission- fostering wellbeing for all and dismantling systems of oppression. 

Second, CDA draws upon the Brazilian educator, philosopher, and social activist Dr. Paulo Freire’s writing for our understanding of dialogue, which we see as the connecting thread, the through line, that both pulls and holds together community. CDA conceives of dialogue as having 3 parts: unconditional care of one’s self and others, positive regard for one’s self and others, and trust in one’s self and others. Without these 3 components, communication is not dialogue. CDA strives to engage in dialogue throughout all activities. Going beyond facilitating authentic talking and thinking together, CDA also provides opportunities to experience mutual teaching, learning, and unlearning, with an openness to have our perspectives- thoughts and feelings- transformed. 

Finally, this leads us directly to action, a word that encompasses many different ways of “doing.” CDA uses a framework we call the “ARC of Social Justice”, to help identify where we are in relation to a specific context or issue, and therefore how we might act. The four stances of this ARC  – Accepting, Advocating, Allying, and Co-Agitating – are fluid states through and to which we can all move at different points in time.

While in the position of Advocating, for example, you might march with a sign, or call your representatives about a piece of legislation. While Allying, you may add some books to your local Little Free Library, or speak up in a conversation about racism. You may also recognize that you don’t have the resources of energy or time in the moment to push back against a microaggression, and are therefore at that time in the position of Accepting a feeling of powerlessness with the situation. 

The key is knowing where you are along the ARC at any given moment in time, why you are there and, if desired, how you might experience movement along the ARC. Voting in the upcoming midterm elections actually offers us all a way to do our part in acting against social injustices. 

We are thrilled and grateful for your joining Community Dialogues for Action, moving along your own Life Journey, seeking true community, facilitating dialogue, and moving toward action that supports genuine social justice for All. This is our time, our friends… Drawing on the words of the Mexican- American Jungian psychoanalyst, poet, and storyteller Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, we must remember that we were built for this!!