Institutional Critique
When Disagreement Feels Like Threat:
A Shift in the Temperature of Disagreement "The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community, while the aftermath of violence is tragic bitterness. We must see that every end we seek must be joined with a means that is as pure as the end itself." — Martin Luther King Jr. A quiet but significant shift has taken place in American social life. A trend that began in the 1980s and dramatically accelerated after 2000 is that Americans started prioritizing poli
Don Schweitzer
Apr 157 min read
Rethinking Isn’t Enough: What Modern Advocacy Still Gets Wrong
" To cheat oneself out of love is the most terrible deception; it is an eternal loss for which there is no reparation, either in time or in eternity. " — Søren Kierkegaard We are living in an age of extraordinary certainty. Across sectors—nonprofits, universities, corporations, faith communities, and political movements—people are more informed, passionate, and morally serious than ever. Mission statements are sharper. Language is more precise. Convictions run deep. Yet, many
Don Schweitzer
Apr 46 min read
Certainty Under Pressure:
How Moral Closure Undermines Justice Work "If a movement is to have an impact, it must belong to those who join it—not those who lead it." — Simon Sinek Today, advocacy is often marked by urgency, moral clarity, and a sense that the stakes could not be higher. In many cases, urgency is warranted: The harm is active and real, while delaying has consequences. At the same time, something else has been quietly taking hold in justice work: a growing reliance on certainty where pos
Don Schweitzer
Mar 129 min read
