Quarterly Recap: Rights, Belonging, and the Cost of Freedom

As we wrap up the first quarter of 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on what we’ve been learning, building, and navigating. From national conversations about democracy to local partnerships rooted in belonging, this work continues to evolve—and to challenge us in meaningful ways.

Throughout the quarter, we’ve kept returning to a few core questions: What does it mean to belong in a society shaped by deep difference? What does democracy require when trust is low? And how do we move pluralism from shared values to shared responsibility?

In a moment where anger and division feel ever-present, we’ve been reflecting on a recurring truth: bridgebuilding isn’t about erasing disagreement. It’s about structuring freedom with care. That means taking seriously the responsibilities of citizenship, the costs of belonging, and the ongoing work of balancing rights and relationships.

This quarter has been full of opportunities to explore those questions—in writing, in convenings, and in collaboration with others doing the same work.

In the Field: Conferences & Convenings

In February, Allison joined three key convenings: the International Religious Freedom (IRF) Summit, the Global Faith Forum, and the Pluralism in Action Conference. Each one brought together religious, civic, and philanthropic leaders grappling with the realities of living together across deep difference. A recurring insight emerged: pluralism only works when we defend each other’s rights—not just our own. Read the full reflection
Later that month, Allison attended the Principles First Summit in Washington, DC, a cross-partisan gathering of democracy reformers and former Republican leaders. In a tense political moment—including a bomb threat that led to an evacuation—attendees debated how best to resist authoritarianism and rebuild democratic trust. Read the recap.

Appearances & Commentary

This quarter also brought two unexpected (and very welcome) invitations to revisit the roots of Allison’s academic work on the social body—a metaphor for community belonging and exclusion that still shapes how we talk about public life today.

She joined Skippy Mesirow on the Healing Our Politics podcast to answer a deceptively simple question: Has there ever been a truly free society? That conversation sparked a deeper reflection on what we give up to belong to any community—and why the ideal of total freedom may be both unrealistic and destructive. Read the blog.

Allison also joined Piper Hendricks for a Stories Change Power webinar to explore how ancient understandings of society still shape our political expectations and pluralism work today. Watch the conversation here.

Publications

We also shared two published pieces this quarter:

In The Chronicle of Philanthropy, Allison and Diana Aviv co-authored a piece calling on funders to take faith-inspired organizations seriously as civic partners—especially in a moment where democracy is under threat. Read it here.

In The Florida Times-Union, Allison reflected on political anger, the impulse to burn it all down, and why restraint is often the more radical choice when it comes to defending democracy. Read here.

Find us on Substack!

We’re also moving our regular blog to Substack! Going forward, you’ll be able to read our latest reflections and field notes there. Subscribe here

If your organization is navigating internal tensions, exploring pluralistic strategy, or seeking support on facilitation, research, or operational planning—reach out. We currently have limited availability for new contracts this summer and fall.