Blogs

Community members from Iowa’s Creative Corridor said yes to an ambiguous yet clear enough invitation and gathered on August 18. With this yes they entered into the conditions of an emergent, co-creative field of what is possible. Each yes brought with it its own cares, concerns and curiosities.

When we try anything new it can be hard. In the early days we might need to turn to props, mnemonics, guidebooks or top tips to help us get to grips with even the basics. If someone acts as a coach and we get time to practice then our confidence grows. We turn to the props and guides less and less. One day we realise we can just "do" it… the thing… whatever it is… without thinking!

Society is often spoken of as if it has only two important dimensions; namely, individuals on the one hand and formal institutions on the other. What this map of civic space leaves out is everything in between: families, neighbours and friends, clubs, local business, faith communities and associations.

Trying to listen well — like striving to live healthy — can easily erode into a guilt-heavy, anxiety-stabbed experience.

Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) starts with what’s strong not what’s wrong, but should we be expected to always look on the bright side of life? This week’s offer to Room 101 is "overt positivity" in the face of structural inequality; when misguided ABCD practice ignores the underlying issues of power and oppression in communities.