Community Agreements: Setting Shared Values
Supremacy culture is built on unspoken agreements—agreements that prioritize hierarchy, individualism, and disconnection. But what if we chose to rewrite those agreements? What if we built communities where our values were intentional, collective, and rooted in liberation?
Community agreements are the foundation of any liberated space. They set expectations, create accountability, and ensure that every member of a group is seen, valued, and supported. But these agreements must be dynamic—they must evolve as we grow, as our needs shift, and as we learn from one another.
In today’s conversation, we explore how to build intentional agreements that reflect the values of our communities. We’ll discuss:
Why agreements create accountability and prevent harm.
How to co-create agreements that honor collective needs.
The importance of revisiting agreements as communities evolve.
This article is part of my 100 Days of Community series, where we explore what it truly takes to build intentional, liberated spaces. If you find value in these reflections, consider becoming a paid subscriber to gain access to deeper dives, practical action steps, and interactive tools.
A Free Preview of Today’s Conversation
Keep reading for an overview of how shared agreements strengthen communities.
Why We Need New Agreements Our society is shaped by agreements—both spoken and unspoken. Many of these agreements uphold systems of oppression, dictating who has access to power, whose voices are heard, and who is silenced. To build something new, we must first recognize the agreements we’ve inherited and decide which ones we need to break.
"This society is quite literally built on the agreements we make—both silently and audibly. Whether we actively say yes or simply comply, we are still agreeing. So when you’re talking about a new system, a new world, new agreements are necessary." (00:03:13 - 00:03:36)
If we want to create communities rooted in justice, care, and equity, we must be deliberate about what we agree to. We must ask: What values do we want to uphold? What behaviors do we want to normalize? What standards do we refuse to accept?
Three Core Principles of Community Agreements A truly liberated community is built on intentional, evolving agreements that reflect the values of its members. Let’s explore how.
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