Disrupting for Good: Reframe, not rebut

Here we are in May, and things continue to feel uncertain and precarious, beautiful moments that break through notwithstanding. 

You may be feeling overwhelmed—I know I am. I have a pet theory that none of our nervous systems really recovered from the COVID pandemic, and we no longer know how to recognize actual emergencies. We treat a lot of non-emergencies as urgent. I know I have to consciously and pretty regularly tell myself the difference. 

I don’t want to make it sound like it’s all bad. I’m enjoying sunny days, meals with family and friends, teaching my 16-year-old twins how to drive, good books, and meaningful work. 

But I also have to be intentional and realistic about my role and my zone of responsibility in advancing and defending social justice right now. I’m no one’s saviour. I’m a part of movements with lots of smart, talented people, and none of us has to do everything. 

And of course, the more things change, the more some things stay the same, and this includes messaging principles. 

So for all of us, it is worth a timely refresher on this key communications principle: reframe, not rebut.

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