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I got a little time today so I'm going to tell a story about how some strategies I learned in Agriculture actually made a true difference in social justice that nobody will ever know. This is a must read thread...
Farm Bureau has a competition in the Young Farmer and Rancher program called the Discussion Meet. In this competition young farmers get together around tables and discuss agricultural issues and are evaluated by performance at these discussions. Its like a debate, but not quite.
I participated and still participate (actually State Committee member) of the Farm Bureau Young Farmer and Rancher program. In this Discussion Meet, I learned the importance of not winning tables with extreme ideas, but you win a table by bringing the extremes together for good.
Years later, I sit on an ag grant making board that makes decisions on millions of dollars of grant money. An issue that has been noted is racial inequity between those who receive funding and those who not. A strategy of going through racial equity training came up and we did it
Now remind you, people from multi states sit on this board. People are from different cultures, backgrounds, demographics, etc sit on this board, at the same time its an Ag board, so its your typical power players and dynamics at place.
As someone representing my state and community I believe its important for my energy being used on making a difference, not making noise. In this approach, I have to build allies & bridge coalitions to make change. I can't just have a loud opinion and have my way.
When the discussion of whether racial equity training should be something permanent with the group, there was mixed reviews. Everyone was not on the same page. I saw it early, and said to myself if I don't do something, this is going to fail. Immediately, I went into Ag strategy.
I knew from Discussion Meet, its not about having the best answer in extreme, I needed to get people together to win this vote to carry the racial equity training forward. Immediately, I worked the middle of the room. Who needed to be convinced in the most polite middle way.
I knew it was a tight vote, so I pleaded with the group it was not to vote on what they thought about the training they just went through. But what they thought the future of the group was and what could be gained from the training in. Let it be flexible to meet the group needs.
Vote went in. 9-8 in favor of the racial equity training being apart of group's work before making decisions on millions of dollars of grants. This will help racial inequity. Real leadership sometimes has to see whats happening and meet the need in the middle. My ted talk is over
