LibraryScenariosWhen community spaces develop unintentional hierarchies
Scenario

When community spaces develop unintentional hierarchies

Our community garden has become a place where the most experienced gardeners dominate all the decisions and newer members, who are mostly younger and more diverse, don't feel welcome to contribute ideas. The old-timers think they're just sharing expertise, but it's creating a hierarchy that goes against what we said we wanted this space to be.

Juana
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More people experience this than they realize.

What we've seen

Expertise and experience can create power dynamics that contradict stated values of openness and equality.

Ideas that help explain it
Worth thinking about

“Where Are You with Gay and lesbian identity across cultures?”

If this sounds familiar, the Library can help you find the bigger picture.