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(Minor) political power
Feb. 26th, 2019 07:45 pmI think we all have minor superpowers - something we are particularly good at and/or knowledgeable about just because of how we're put together and what we're interested in.
My minor superpower is knowing what folk dance someone is trying to request, even if they say something like "The one that starts with 'M'" (actual example!) or "The one that goes back and forth and in and out" (of course lots of them do that). A combination of knowing lots of dances and remembering what people like lets me name the right dance amazingly often.
Relatedly, I have minor political power in the folk dance community because I've been around a while, dance with several different groups, and help lead a big group. I just put together a dance workshop this coming September because I was on the short list of people emailed about the teacher coming to town, and could email another list of people who was interested in funding it. Yay for small powers for good!
When I was a kid, I had no idea that this is how things happen - individuals working with other individuals. It really is who you know, and what kind of credit/trust you have with them. Somehow I thought there was a type of person with power, and then the rest of us regular folks. I never imagined I'd become one of those people who can make things happen (in certain limited circumstances).
Before national politics made it a dirty word, it was about people working together and negotiating to make things happen. Somehow it makes me feel a little better to remember that.
My minor superpower is knowing what folk dance someone is trying to request, even if they say something like "The one that starts with 'M'" (actual example!) or "The one that goes back and forth and in and out" (of course lots of them do that). A combination of knowing lots of dances and remembering what people like lets me name the right dance amazingly often.
Relatedly, I have minor political power in the folk dance community because I've been around a while, dance with several different groups, and help lead a big group. I just put together a dance workshop this coming September because I was on the short list of people emailed about the teacher coming to town, and could email another list of people who was interested in funding it. Yay for small powers for good!
When I was a kid, I had no idea that this is how things happen - individuals working with other individuals. It really is who you know, and what kind of credit/trust you have with them. Somehow I thought there was a type of person with power, and then the rest of us regular folks. I never imagined I'd become one of those people who can make things happen (in certain limited circumstances).
Before national politics made it a dirty word, it was about people working together and negotiating to make things happen. Somehow it makes me feel a little better to remember that.
