Kathy Obear - In it for the long haul : overcoming burnout & passion fatigue as social justice change agents

In It for the Long Haul

IN IT FOR THE

LONG

HAUL

Overcoming Burnout & Passion Fatigue
as Social Justice Change Agents

KATHY OBEAR

NEW YORK

NASHVILLEMELBOURNEVANCOUVER

IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Overcoming Burnout & Passion Fatigue
as Social Justice Change Agents

2018 Kathy Obear

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

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ISBN 9781683508175 paperback

ISBN 9781683508182 eBook

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017916262

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Interior Design:

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I felt deeply moved reading this book. As someone whose life work is committed to racial justice, I felt seen and understood. I also felt relieved, because Kathy goes beyond affirming that social justice work in this profoundly disturbing political climate is challenging; she offers the sustenance and focus needed for continuing. Now more than ever we cannot set this burden down, and Kathy offers a way to stay true to our convictions while also nurturing ourselves so that we might be as effective as possible. This isnt about giving up or even taking a breakits about how to fight for justice from a position of internal strength. In the words of Mary Church Terrell, in her latest book, Kathy Obear yet again lifts as she climbs.

- Robin DiAngelo, PH.D., Author of White Fragility

Honest, insightful, challenging, and hopeful. That is what I feel after reading the latest inspiring work of Dr. Kathy Obear. For years, I have found her work to reach millions where no one else can, in the heart. For all who are feeling the stress and strain of social justice work, this is a must read, because giving up is not an option and Kathy wont let you, instead she will inspire you.

- Eddie Moore, PH.D., Director/Founder, The Privilege Institute

Thank you Kathy Obear! Your insights and tools have breathed fresh life into me when I needed it most. Especially powerful is the understanding that when we all focus on our unique roles in the movement, and not try to be all things to all people, we not only sustain ourselves, we create a more vibrant and resilient movement. Humanity meets strategy. Brilliant!

- Debby Irving, Author of Waking Up White

Unfortunately, many of us can relate to burnout and passion fatigue. Fortunately, Kathy Obear has written a book that can really help! Filled with useful tools for self-reflection and restoring balance, In it for the Long Haul offers a vision and strategies for being more effective social justice activists without sacrificing our well-being.

- Diane Goodman, ED.D., Author of Promoting Diversity and Social Justice: Educating People from Privileged Groups

Another insightful resource from Kathy Obear that assists change agents searching for tools to get unstuck and stay rejuvenated and focused in their journey toward making a difference in the world. Kathys reflections and personal journey serves as a model for how sustainable change can happen while we also have a joyful balanced life. This book helped me imagine what this world could look like if I brought as much vigilance to living with love and compassion for myself as I do justice work.

- Lisa Landreman, PH.D., editor of The Art of Effective Facilitation: Reflections from Social Justice Educators

Obears insights about the factors contributing to burnout and strategies for incorporating effective self-care to prevent it are especially needed by social justice educators working to address the unprecedented challenges facing society following the election of 2016. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to lead a healthier life while creating transformative change in our world.

- Nancy, Evans, PH.D., Author of Disability in Higher Education: A Social Justice Approach

Dr. Obear provides the necessary tools to stay in it as she shares her own journey. Thank you for your insights and reminders of being true to ourselves in our passion to create change.

- becky martinez, ed.d., Infinity Martinez Consulting

At the core of social change must be the beat of sustainable people. To make meaningful social change for the long haul as change agents, we must take care of our whole selves, psyche, spirit and body and we must not let the care of self be sidelined until after the world is changed. This inspiring book does more than merely restore and underscore the agency of change makers, it is a soulful map for how to avoid burnout and passion fatigue to make meaningful social change for the long haul.

- Beth Applegate, Co-author of Embracing Cultural Competency in the nonprofit sector: A capacity builders guide

Teaching about oppression and social justice is never easy for both students and teachers. In It For The Long Haul: Overcoming Burnout and Passion Fatigue as Social Justice Change Agents speaks to me on how to deal honestly with my anxieties, assumptions and emotional responses in the teaching of anti-oppressive education. A valuable resource for everyone.

- Dennis Francis, PH.D., author of Troubling the Teaching and Learning of Gender and Sexuality Diversity in South African Education

Kathy Obear really gets what it means to run in the marathon of social change. She also gets how easy it is for this work to burn us out and how crucial it is that we not let that happen. Her supportive approach combines body, mind, spirit, and heart: the thoughts, feelings, and actions we can choose to keep us going. Shes skillful at coaching folks to shift our approachthings we can controlin ways that sustain us. And when we sustain ourselves, we can sustain the movement.

- Kat Morgan, ChangeAbility Solutions

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F or all the social justice change agents who have come before. I am deeply grateful, deeply humbled by your leadership, passion, persistence, and sacrifice so we may live in greater freedom and liberation.

To all those who have picked up the mantle to move us onward, thank you.

Together we can and together we will.

I woke up on November 9, 2016 in a deeper despair than I could remember. I wondered if anything Id been doing really mattered. The work of so many, their sacrifices for decades, for centuries, all seemed to be wiped out in an instant. Despite evidence of horrific police brutality toward black and Latino people over the past several years, I still believed we were making progress. Now, after the national election, things seemed so much worse. Where before, it seemed we were beginning to create greater access, equity, and justice for more people in the country, suddenly it seemed all we had worked for was being dismantled and destroyed. The rolling back of our progress intensified day after day. I felt so powerless, hopeless, and depressed.