Practicing deep recognition of others' inherent worth and potential, fundamental to building authentic leadership among all community members.
Central to Rabia's legacy was her capacity to recognize holiness in others—to see past surface to the sacred within. In organizing, this becomes the practice of truly witnessing people: acknowledging their pain, celebrating their strengths, recognizing their leadership potential. So much organizing work involves extraction—taking people's time and stories for campaigns, then abandoning them. Witness love means showing up consistently, remembering names and histories, investing in people's growth beyond instrumental usefulness. This practice directly counters the dehumanization that drives oppression and creates alternative culture within movements. When organizers practice witness love, they naturally distribute leadership, develop diverse skills, and create spaces where people feel genuinely valued rather than exploited. Communities built on witness love develop organic leadership and remarkable resilience.
Peri can explain this concept, give practical examples, help you decide whether it applies to your situation, or recommend a journey if appropriate.
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