Racial Dynamics and Systems Thinking
Systems or systems-based thinking recognizes that some of the explanation of outcomes is found in the organization and dynamics of systems themselves, and not simply in the actions of individual parts. The analytic benefits of adopting a systems approach to problem diagnosis and problem solving have long been explored in the fields of organizational development, medicine, international relations, and elsewhere; the fields of social and racial justice have lagged. Sessions in this strand will consider the utility of systems thinking as a mode of analysis and a guide to advocacy strategizing and policymaking in the pursuit of racial equity, social justice, and human rights. The conference will address the following questions through panels, workshops, plenary sessions, and trainings.
- What is the basic logic that distinguishes systems approaches from other prominent ways of understanding social and natural phenomena?
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of systems approaches? What useful distinctions can we usefully draw between major approaches in the systems arena?
- What specific case study examples can we use-across such areas as environmental work, health, and business- to effectively demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of an applied systems approach?
- How can we effectively communicate the principals and approach of systems thinking given its complexity, to a wide range of audiences?
- What does applying a systems thinking approach mean for social justice work, and more specifically racial justice work? How do advocacy organizations/researchers/policy makers/foundations apply a systems thinking approach without getting overwhelmed?
- When/in what context has systems thinking been applied successfully in racial justice work? What can be learned from these instances?
- How can a systems thinking approach explain large-scale social phenomenon such as the economic recession & housing crisis?
