Comments on: Ignoring The Voice of Dependency

By: How Matters / Our Most Important Job

How Matters / Our Most Important Job — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 15:40:43 +0000

[...] Another great post on this subject by Desiree Adaway: http://desireeadaway.com/ignoring-the-voice-of-dependency/ [...]

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Fri, 21 May 2010 05:04:53 +0000

So glad you are enjoying the post….stayed tune for my next one.. I think you might like it and i would love to hear your thoughyts!

By: Alana

Alana — Wed, 19 May 2010 05:43:25 +0000

Oh you’ve got my juices flowing. When I did my MA in Community Psychology this is exactly what we talked about. You are an inspiration – so glad to have found you (via Julie Daley – another inspiration!)

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:58:52 +0000

Gut checks are mandatory–I like to ask teh questions from teh Rotart 4 way test. It asks the following four questions: “Of the things we think, say or do:

•Is it the TRUTH?
•Is it FAIR to all concerned?
•Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
•Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?”

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 16 May 2010 12:56:55 +0000

If we are told enough through a variety of mediums that we are broken or inadequate then we begin to believe it. Institutions need to constantly assess “how and why” they are supporting communities. Education and honesty between partners is the key for long term success. Its more than being right– its about doing right .

By: Angela Johnson

Angela Johnson — Sun, 16 May 2010 11:45:45 +0000

This is one powerful post! We must look at ourselves and our institutions and ask what the motivator is. Is it altruism or validation? We must look at ourselves and institutions and ask what our impact is. Are we nurturing growth or nurturing dependence? Thank you Desiree.

By: Farai Chideya

Farai Chideya — Sun, 16 May 2010 01:31:13 +0000

I’m so glad to see the connections made between institutional structures; change and movement building; and the spiritual and emotional realms of power-play between institutions and people.

I personally have gotten involved in asking foundations to be accountable for keeping diversity metrics on their grantees and not tolerating exclusionary hiring practices among their grantees. It doesn’t always make me the most popular person in the room, but it’s part of what I’m meant to be doing right now.

There are great people in media, foundations, and education (all of which my career intersects with) who are changing the machine from inside. But, as with beauty advertising that relies on telling you you’re fat or old or WHATEVER in order to sell products you don’t need, sometimes institutions create insecurity in order to perpetuate the need for their services. We make solutions one by one each day. Thanks for this.

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:29:22 +0000

So glad I have great folks like you enjoying my post– we must believe in our individual right and bility to walk our own paths and create a better world.

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:28:05 +0000

Julie– That is excatly what I am saying–Speak truth to power. Once you understand how powerful you are– then your world is truly limitless. Thanks for stopping buy and sharing your thoughts.

By: Desiree Adaway

Desiree Adaway — Sun, 16 May 2010 00:26:32 +0000

So glad you enjoyed the post– Some of the most courageous people I know are those that commit their lives to serving others.