Understanding power and alienation, and reclaiming memory

In this opening session, we will explore how power operates within the dominant cultural paradigm along lines of domination, or power-over. We will look at the roots of that in ancient history, and how it became synonymous with a masculine power, patriarchy, and therefore men. We will explore how this form of power has permeated human relationship and society, and how it enables oppressive hierarchies and colonial relationships to continue. We will also look at other forms of power: forms based around partnership, power-with rather than power-over; the roots of these in ancient land based and indigenous societies; and how these forms of power became synonymous with feminine power, and therefore women. We will interrogate how women (and non-men) have been alienated from power and erased from collective memory historically, and what reclamation/restoration looks like. In this session we will discuss the politics of memory, restoring narrative justice, rewriting history, and how we can begin building cultural power.

Contributors

Riane Eisler

Riane Eisler is a social systems scientist, cultural historian, futurist, and attorney whose research, writing, and speaking has transformed the lives of people worldwide.

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Céline Semaan

Céline Semaan is a Designer, Advocate, Writer and Founder of Slow Factory Foundation. She writes for New York Mag: The Cut, Elle, Refinery29, Huffington Post, among others.

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Anwulika Okonjo

Anwulika Okonjo is a global social impact strategist and communications consultant, especially passionate about working with women-led businesses/organisations and women/youth/African/black people focused initiatives across a broad range of issue areas.

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