We at #OBI join a growing global chorus of calls for an immediate ceasefire, as has been repeatedly demanded by the United Nations, and a return of the hostages. Full Statement:

RT @reider: 🎓📢 Hashtag personal news: Delighted to report I've joined the Othering & Belonging Institute (@oandbinstitute) at @UCBerkeley a…

Join us for an in-person discussion with author Dr. Margaret Price about her new book, "Crip Spacetime: Access, Failure, and Accountability in Academic Life," on Thursday, Feb. 13 at UC Berkeley.

Join us on Feb. 13 for a post-film screening lunch and processing session (Screening of the film No Other Land is happening on Feb. 12). Using techniques from the world of dance, theatre, movement, and performance work, participants will be invited into their bodies to feel, investigate, and understand the impact of this important film. Learn more about this session at

OBI's Global Justice Program leader Elsadig Elsheikh uses a historical, colonial and economic analysis to explain the turmoil Sudan is currently experiencing, and offers a pathway forward. He describes a "vision of a sovereign government that embraces pluralism in governance and accepts the wealth of identities, cultures, and diverse languages in Sudan." Check this piece out:

We're co-sponsoring a virtual book talk by George Lipsitz, Research Professor Emeritus of Black Studies and Sociology at UC, Santa Barbara, on March 4. More info at

Join us on Feb 12 for "Our Future Economy," the first of a series of events on transforming economies for communities, workers and climate well-being rooted in Richmond, California. Learn more at

"A lot of othering is really about belonging. People want to belong, but it gets twisted. We’re told, in order to belong, those people can’t belong." OBI Director john a. powell explains why we distance ourselves from groups of people and how we can all find the connection that we crave. Read more:

How can we bridge the gaps between "us" and "them" in a world divided by fear and grievance? This article explores from Miriam Juan-Torres González: - The blend of populist rhetoric and authoritarian practices - The rise of these movements in democratic nations - How exclusion deepens societal divides We should ask ourselves: Are we reinforcing these divisions, or can we cultivate belonging?

RT @UCBerkeley: Over the past decade, @oandbinstitute researchers have seen politicians fearmongering, scapegoating marginalized groups and…

“The MAGA movement and the response to it runs away from bridging,” OBI Director john a. powell says. “It runs into demonizing the other and seeing the other as two-dimensional figures because they don’t agree with you on some issues.” Read more:

OBI Director john a. powell: "[MLK] talked about creating, not the Black community, not the white community, not the Asian or Native American community; he talked about creating the beloved community." Interview with MPR News: How to bridge Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Trump’s inauguration

"Constructing a new vision for democracy requires breaking away from the notion that we are pursuing a restoration project and at the same time recognizing that we need to get collectively better at living with uncertainty and change." Check out the latest piece by OBI's Mi­riam Juan-Torres Gonzalez.

"Bridging is a salve for our fractured world," OBI's director john a. powell says. "We can overcome the illusion of separateness by honoring our differences, transcending the notion that difference divides us, and instead co-create a world where everyone belongs." If you haven't seen it yet, check out "The Power of Bridging," co-authored by Rachelle Galloway-Popotas. This insightful work is a must-read! Get your copy today!

"I reminded [my friends] that politics cannot be equated with humanity, and we should use our learnings, wisdom and intellect to help society, not bring it down. However, there was no room for that." OBI Program Director Samir Gambhir offers a deeply personal reflection on his recent trip to his home country of India where he encountered some troubling attitudes among strangers, friends, and family. But there was also some signs of progress. Read it here:

A new research paper we published this week looks at how the introduction of AI in assisted reproductive technology is posing ethical and moral challenges to the field. Within the last ten years, a handful of companies have developed products that claim to use big data and image analysis to select the best possible embryo for implantation. But they often rely on poorly understood black box algorithms and are not subject to sufficient regulatory oversight. This research brief underscores the need for a framework that ensures the ethical guidance and implementation of AI-assisted reproductive technologies. Read more at

📷 by @oaklandmuseumca: 🌟We are stoked to launch "Community Conversations," a new series in partnership with The Othering & Belonging Institute (otheringandbelonging). ⁠ ⁠ Our first collaboration will take place, Sunday January 19 in our James Moore Theater! Join us for the first conversation, Reclaiming Democracy, Building Belonging, featuring john a. powell (profjohnapowell), Ernestine Nettles, youth leaders, and opening remarks from Congresswoman Lateefah Simon and former Congresswoman Barbara Lee. Moderated by Ashley Gallegos (a.s.h.evolvingI), this interactive event will also include a powerful performance by the Belonging Residency Company. ⁠ ⁠ Don’t miss this opportunity to engage in vital dialogue and connect through the arts. ⁠ ⁠ #SpotlightSundays #ReclaimingDemocracy #CommunityConversations #OBI #OMCA⁠

Since 1980, white households in California have consistently achieved significantly higher homeownership rates compared to other groups. All racial groups saw homeownership rates increase, except for Black households, since 1980. Read more in our new report on home ownership by race in California at

How can we bridge the gaps between "us" and "them" in a world divided by fear and grievance? This article explores from Miriam Juan-Torres González: - The blend of populist rhetoric and authoritarian practices - The rise of these movements in democratic nations - How exclusion deepens societal divides We should ask ourselves: Are we reinforcing these divisions, or can we cultivate belonging?

🚡 Gondolas: The Future of Urban Transportation? Gondolas may seem odd for urban transit, but they offer unique solutions to today's transportation and climate challenges. Unlike traditional systems, gondolas: - Use 100% renewable energy - Operate with unmatched speed, frequency, and reliability - Don’t take up precious street space Gondolas are improving public transit and boosting equitable access in cities worldwide, from Colombia to Turkey. Could they be the key to reducing car dependence and meeting climate goals in the U.S.? From OBI's Eli Moore, gondolas could revolutionize urban mobility and contribute to a sustainable future.

"Bridging is a salve for our fractured world," OBI's director john a. powell says. "We can overcome the illusion of separateness by honoring our differences, transcending the notion that difference divides us, and instead co-create a world where everyone belongs." If you haven't seen it yet, check out "The Power of Bridging," co-authored by Rachelle Galloway-Popotas. This insightful work is a must-read! Get your copy today!