Beyond Inclusion, Beyond Empowerment

I suspect (and hope!) that the lifelong impact Dr. Nieto's work will have on me will be staggering - working through what she conveys has honestly felt a bit seismic. Dr. Nieto brings art of all forms (poetry, song, folklore, even vivid descriptions of movies) to the work of liberation, with a developmental, holarchical framework that is quite different from many more intellectualized (not more intellectual, just more intellectualized) approaches to anti-oppression (which she argues is a part of, but more narrow than, liberation), yet also deepened my understanding of and ability to work on myself within and through those other frameworks. It feels like a disservice to try to give examples of the model in action in an abbreviated medium, but I'll try: one thing that has stuck with me is Dr. Nieto's deft analysis of the intersection of systemic and interpersonal power, and how looking for both at once can enable us to better articulate why some anti-liberation arguments (like people who ask “What about reverse racism?”) happen and how to respond to them. Another is building tolerance for long-term anti-oppression work. She gently and incisively points out how unwillingness to acknowledge that most of us will revert to less skilled behavior when stressed or threatened perpetuates this behavior and inhibits growth, and how to be patient with this recursive process of growth. I don't know! Even reading what I just wrote, I'm like, “Just get the book!” or read Dr. Nieto in her own words! The only thing I should note is that I've taken a continuing education seminar with Dr. Nieto, and experienced her consultation work in a professional organization I belong through, and her approach, which includes tremendous expertise in psychodrama and experiential work, really springs to life live as opposed to in writing. I think I benefitted from “hearing” her as I read. The book is plenty powerful on its own, but if you ever have the chance to hear her speak, don't miss it.