Creating a Greater Sense of Belonging

“In this shrinking world, we have to create a world where everyone belongs, and no one is ‘othered.’ Some people say it can't be done. I say, not only can it be done, it must be done. And one of the places where it has a good chance of taking roots is right here in Oregon.” 

So began john a. powell's talk recently during a gathering of about 130 OCF volunteers, staff, board members and community leaders from throughout Oregon. powell (who spells his name in lowercase) directs the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. 

He says taken together, “othering” and belonging represent the “the challenge for the 21st century.”  

OCF President and CEO Lisa Mensah called powell “one of the most insightful legal scholars of our time,” adding that his ideas are not abstract or academic. They are embedded in OCF’s efforts to bring people together through giving, grantmaking and volunteering.  

“He speaks with quiet insight about the opportunity for Americans to learn to truly see one another as belonging together. His focus on belonging was the perfect note for our community foundation and its larger family of volunteers, donors and grantees.”

In his talk powell explained, “‘othering’ is a generalized set of common processes that engender marginality and group-based inequality across any of the full range of human differences.”

“This struggle is not just interpersonal – it is that – but it’s also structural and institutional. How we organize and design structures matters. I’m saying, ‘how do we affirmatively design structures to promote, acknowledge and celebrate belonging.’” 

The concept of belonging describes more than just a feeling of inclusion or welcome, powell said. It is the social systems that give people a sense that they have power and control over their lives and share strong bonds with their community.  

He said people can feel anxiety from losing that sense of belonging during periods of rapid changes, for example, in demographics, climate and in the aftermath of a global pandemic. powell noted that the support OCF and its donors provide for Oregon communities are opportunities for “bridging” work that strengthens social bonds.  

OCF grants are designed to improve the lives of all Oregonians by supporting creative solutions driven by communities themselves. Lisa Mensah explained that mission begins with finding ways to foster belonging.

Or as john a. powell described it, “Bridging expands the circle of human concern to build a more inclusive ‘we.’” 

powell is the author of several books, including the upcoming, "Belonging without Othering: How We Save Ourselves and the World." Learn more and explore resources from the Othering and Belonging Institute.