Courage provides a foundation for collective liberation by inspiring and empowering us to speak out and stand up against oppression, violence, and injustice in our every day lives.

Courage is necessary to challenge oppressive power structures, speak our truth, and take meaningful action to challenge unjust systems.

We draw on courage when we provide support to those most affected by dominant culture in our communities. With the strength and courage of a collective, we can build community-based solutions that address the needs of those among us who are the most vulnerable to systemic inequities.

Sometimes, the bravest thing we can do for the collective is to focus on our own individual healing. Whether it is physical or emotional, long held pain can impact our ability to show up for ourselves and others in the community. It often requires the most courage for individuals to process the trauma of their own singular experiences within the context of shared communal realities. Through this portal of grief and pain, we can gain a deeper understanding and empathy for shared experiences of humanity and oppression alike. This only serves to connect our struggle with other historically marginalized communities and their indignantly joyous contributions toward this difficult work across history.

Collective liberation from oppression relies on reorienting toward deep compassion for one another. It asks us to recognize, understand and empathize with the experiences of those among us, those who came before, and those who will come after in this ongoing struggle for freedom.

When we act through love and kindness, creating a foundation of support and solidarity, what becomes possible can lead to meaningful and positive personal and social change. Compassion allows us to recognize how systemic oppression has created suffering and hardship, and to honor the complexities and experiences of those impacted.

If we are to build a better way to relate to ourselves—and all life on this earth—we need to foster and engage in conversations that are empathetic, understanding, and respectful. Compassion is a powerful tool, and should be a cornerstone of collective liberation. When this value is centered, we can create and nurture relationships and ideas that are based on mutual respect and understanding, which is essential in taking tangible action against oppression and injustice.

Community connection is our antidote to oppressive systems of division. It works to bridge the disparities that these structures create within our communities. By engaging with each other across different identities and perspectives—and working together to create understanding and collaboration—we can break down the social, economic, and political power inequality that oppressive structures rely on.

Through connection, we can challenge divisive narratives and instead invest in a collective vision that works to foster solidarity and equity across different communities. By fighting oppressive systems together, instead of perpetuating their divide and conquer principles, we can stand in solidarity and overcome oppression together.