We all grow up inside stories we didn't choose; stories about who matters, and who's disposable. Some of these stories come from our families. Most are bigger than that; individualism, extraction, racism, and patriarchy have shaped American life for generations. Each season, Noodle Club takes one of these inherited stories and opens it up for honest converation over three dinners. We talk about what we were taught, what it's costing us, and what we're learning from the people who are already living something different.
A list of potential topics and supporting content will be available, but here are some examples:
What happens to people caught up in immigration enforcement, and who's organizing to change things
Who owns the land, who grows our food, and what it would take to make those systems healthier and more fair
What it takes to make spaces work for everybody, according to people with disabilities
Who pays the price when we dig, drill, and pollute, and why it's rarely the same people who profit
What our prison system really looks like, and what it could look like instead
Why clean water still isn't a given for everyone, and what some communities are doing to protect the planet
What is the pattern of violence against Indigenous women and girls, and what's the movement to change it
What it takes to grow old with dignity, and what we can do to ensure people aren't left behind as they age
What is the real cost behind the cheap stuff we buy, and what's being done to make more sustainable systems
Don't know any stories about systems and power? That's ok, Noodle Club is for you! The group is built for people who are curious. If you are already deeply committed to a particular topic relating to power and social systems, Noodle Club is also for you! Each season we'll have some shared content as a starting point, so nobody needs background knowledge going in. What matters is that you are open to owning your own story, listening with empathy, and being brave enough to imagine a different narrative in the future.
