Community Somatics

  Equity theory asserts that people define fairness by their perceptions of distribution of rewards in relationship to what they contribute (Meyers, 2018).  Unfortunately, despite legislation to encourage equity in the US, racist and discriminatory impacts from colonization remain, which requires a view of leadership that challenges dominant social hierarchies (Jimenez-Luque, 2021, paras. 3 & 67). Recognizing the enormous impact of colonization which seeks dominance over collaboration, and leadership over teamwork is essential. Everyone has been impacted by colonization. People who are differently abled in body or mind,  Black, Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, Women, and those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, or queer have faced discriminatory practices which undermine the health of our communities. The colonized mentality, unable to understand the relational and interdependent connection of self from the environment, destroys ecosystems and accepts pollution as it poisons itself. Considering the impact of colonization in our communities, both historically and now, means that what is "fair" cannot be simply measured by the individuals who are in leadership positions. Committing to activate our social awareness in the community requires that we challenge rules or practices that insist on hierarchical social dominance structures. Promoting equity requires considering the intergenerational trauma inflicted on communities caused by systemic laws and behaviors that have been going on for many hundreds of years in the country. Research related to contact theory shows that contact decreases prejudice when there is equal status and common goals shared (Myers, 2018). Sharing equal status is critical to decrease prejudice and promote equity in our community. Sharing leadership with those who commit and practice nurturing the natural world and its inhabitants will help us to engage with energy, words, and behaviors that aim to focus us on the path of healing.