Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection

by Deepa Iyer

A roadmap for those who are ready to deepen their commitment to social justice from racial justice advocate, Deepa Iyer. To engage in social change at this moment in time requires consistent attention, deep reflection, and committed collective action. We are living in a period of overlapping social, economic, and environmental crises, accompanied by failures in public systems and institutions. It's not surprising, then, that when we attempt to engage in social change efforts, many of us feel like we are on a seesaw, swinging from outrage to overwhelm. For those who are just beginning their social change journeys to those who are weary and disillusioned, how can we effectively anchor our commitments to equity, solidarity, and justice? This is the entry point for SOCIAL CHANGE A GUIDE FOR REFLECTION AND CONNECTION, Deepa Iyer's heartfelt offering to individuals and groups seeking to initiate or deepen their actions in service to social change values. Relying on two decades of work supporting social movements, Iyer introduces a new approach called the social change ecosystem framework, which includes a map of ten roles, from visionary to storyteller to disrupter to experimenter, as well as practices to identify values and strengthen our social change ecosystems. Over the past three years, people and organizations around the world have used the framework to respond to the pandemic, express solidarity during the uprisings against anti-Black racism, and support multiracial coalitions struggling for reproductive rights, immigrant and refugee protections, and climate justice. Social Change Now goes well beyond presenting ideas and frameworks. It's also a practical guide that contains detailed descriptions and real-world examples, reflection prompts (with room to write responses), and accessible tips that can immediately be put into action. Social Change Now is a resource that will accompany individuals and organizations not only in times of crisis, but throughout their lifelong social change journeys to build connected communities and equitable systems in our world. " Social Change A Guide for Reflection and Connection enables readers to individually and collectively chart practical pathways and strategies for creating equitable, just, and life-affirming communities. For any educator and professional seeking to help build the anti-oppression capacity of their students, colleagues, or community, this book is an excellent place to start!"--Jazmin Pichardo, Assistant Director of Diversity Training & Education, University of Maryland "With her book, Social Change A Guide for Reflection and Connection , Deepa Iyer lovingly offers us a roadmap and opportunity to reflect on who we are and who our people are. As so many of us grapple with how to show up for our movements in the pursuit of liberation, this book is a powerful reminder that we don't do this work alone, and we don't have to."-- alicia sanchez gill, Executive Director, Emergent Fund Nonfiction.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Social Justice, Psychology, Justice, Activism

172 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2022

Reviews

[Lisa Welch · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I thought there was a lot of great content in this one, but the layout and editing could have been much stronger in the end. Some of the reflection questions were helpful, but they did become repetitive after awhile. I would love to see this one updated and revised into a new edition.

[Billy McKeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Creative format! Really helpful as a civic engagement professional in higher education - great launching off point for teaching social change and leadership.

[Brynn Comeaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great for anyone understanding the roles they play in social change and how they can connect with roles they do not identify as.
Includes:
Frontline Responders
Visionaries
Builders
Disrupters
Caregivers
Experiementers
Weavers
Storytellers
Healers
Guides

[Niecie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’d recommend this to anyone trying to figure out how they can best contribute to social movements with their skill sets.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredible. Reading it as part of a book / study group - group is a grassroots collective supporting Palestine. Deepa came to speak with us. Really wonderful way to land into social justice work. It made me challenge my imposter syndrome and instead focus on how I can help others - what do they really need. Thank you so much for putting this together Deepa.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not fully "read" this yet but shall be dipping in and out throughout the year.

What I have read and done so far is very good, and I'm looking forward to a dedicated space to reflect on my contributions to social change.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and journaled for professional development. an excellent workbook and paradigm to consider social change ecosystems and roles within them. Not a quick read, but an intentional workbook.