The definitions for “power” and “love” are nothing that I have ever considered. The author uses the definition by Tillich, who says that power is the drive that people need to achieve their goal and love as the drive to unite the separated (2). Kahane suggests that in order to define one term, we need the other; however, they must be balanced. From my interpretation of these few chapters, I can see how it is relent to my own experience. Power and love is in everything we do, it is the drive that keeps us going from day to day. Without, power or love, we would not accomplish anything.
This class has made me reevaluate my beliefs and decision methods. At the beginning, I never would have thought that I would enjoy gleaning or working for the community. Kahane says that:
If those of us engaged in social change act to realize ourselves without recognizing that we and others are interdependent, the result will at best be insensitive […]. If we recognize our interdependence and act to unify with others, but do so in a way that hobbles our own or others’ growth, the result will at best be ineffectual and at worst, deceitfully reinforcing of the status quo (8).
In order to be more efficient in what we do, we must unite our powers and love. We will not get the most out community project if we do not realize how effective working together can be.
The balance between power and love can lead to so many opportunities and achievements. This can be seen in the food project that our class is working on. The leaders involved in this project demonstrate both of these characteristics. For example, Miguel uses this power as a figure in the school district to drive his love to ensure meals for the neighboring schools. The balance of power and love resulted in a greater overall success. There are so many leaders out there that have abused power and love, thus leading to destruction. The balance of these two characteristics is the fundamental concept of this book.
Stephanie Huynh
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