How love can help repair social inequality | Chloé Valdary

Summary

Chloe Valderry introduces her Theory of Enchantment, a social emotional learning program aimed at fostering character development, resilience, and self-love. Using pop culture references like Disney and hip-hop, she teaches tools to face life's challenges and encourages empathy. Valderry developed this concept during her time at the Wall Street Journal, focusing on teaching love rather than conflict. She outlines three principles: treating people as humans, criticizing to uplift, and rooting actions in love and compassion. These principles, she believes, can advance social justice and heal the nation by promoting understanding and personal growth.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Chloe Valderry introduced the 'Theory of Enchantment', a social emotional learning program aimed at developing character, resilience, and self-love using pop culture references.
• 🎓 The program was developed after Chloe moved to New York and worked on a thesis at the Wall Street Journal, focusing on teaching love rather than conflict.
• 🤝 The Theory of Enchantment uses pop culture, including Disney, hip-hop, and pop music, to engage learners and teach them valuable life lessons.
• 🔍 Chloe's research involved studying companies and influencers like Nike, Disney, and Beyoncé to understand why people are drawn to them, finding that they reflect audience potential.
• 💡 She defined 'enchantment' as the process of delighting someone with a concept or idea, inspired by Guy Kawasaki's description, which is key to loving oneself and others.
• 📚 After writing her thesis, Chloe refined her concept through non-profit work, college lectures, and developed a system for teaching the Theory of Enchantment.
• 🤝 The theory is built on three principles: treating people as human beings, criticizing to uplift, and rooting actions in love and compassion.
• 🌱 These principles are seen as essential for healing the nation, especially in the context of racism, police brutality, and the pursuit of social justice.
• 🎬 Examples from pop culture, such as Kendrick Lamar's lyrics and the movie 'Moana', are used to illustrate the principles and teach about human complexity and the importance of love.
• 💬 Chloe critiques the concept of 'white fragility' for treating white people as a monolithic entity, which goes against the first principle of her theory.
• 🌈 She expresses hope in the current diverse coalitions protesting for racial justice, particularly the involvement of millennials, as a sign of positive change.

Q & A

What is the Theory of Enchantment according to Chloe Valderry?

The Theory of Enchantment is a social emotional learning program developed by Chloe Valderry that teaches individuals how to develop character, tools for resilience, and self-love, using pop culture as a medium to convey these lessons.

How did Chloe Valderry come up with the concept of the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe Valderry developed the concept of the Theory of Enchantment after moving to New York and working at the Wall Street Journal. Her background in international studies and diplomacy led her to explore teaching people how to love rather than just combat conflict, which led her to study pop culture as a source of inspiration.

Why does Chloe use pop culture in the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe uses pop culture in the Theory of Enchantment because it is a significant part of what people are already in love with and engaged with. She believes that pop culture can serve as a conduit to teach important life lessons by reflecting the audience's potential and desires back to them.

What are the three principles of the Theory of Enchantment?

The three principles of the Theory of Enchantment are: 1) Treat people like human beings, not like political abstractions; 2) If you want to criticize, do it to uplift and empower, never to tear down or destroy; 3) Root everything you do in love and compassion.

How does Chloe Valderry define 'enchantment' in the context of her theory?

In the context of her theory, Chloe Valderry defines 'enchantment' as the process by which you delight someone with a concept, an idea, a personality, or a thing, drawing from Guy Kawasaki's description. It's about becoming enchanted by one another and being full of wonder when encountering others.

How does Chloe relate the concept of self-love to the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe relates self-love to the Theory of Enchantment by emphasizing that learning to love oneself is a crucial step in being able to love others. She believes that self-love is foundational for fostering better conversations and healing the nation.

Can you provide an example of how Chloe uses pop culture icons like Beyoncé in her teaching?

Chloe uses Beyoncé as an example to illustrate how pop culture icons reflect the audience's potential back to them. She cites Beyoncé's empowering lyrics, such as 'Who run the world? Girls,' to show how individuals can see their potential in the content created by these icons.

How does Chloe Valderry connect the Theory of Enchantment to resolving conflict?

Chloe connects the Theory of Enchantment to resolving conflict by teaching the principles that foster empathy, understanding, and love. She believes that by treating each other as human beings and approaching criticism with the intent to uplift, individuals can engage in better conversations that help resolve conflicts.

What is Chloe's perspective on the concept of 'white fragility' in relation to the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe views the concept of 'white fragility' as contrary to the first principle of her theory, which is to treat people as human beings and not as political abstractions. She believes that labeling white people as a monolithic entity goes against the idea of treating individuals as complex and multifaceted.

How does Chloe Valderry see the role of self-love in dismantling systemic issues?

Chloe believes that self-love is a prerequisite for tackling systemic issues. She asserts that individuals must first learn to love themselves to be able to love others and address systemic inequalities in a sustainable way.

What does Chloe suggest about the role of pop culture in teaching the principles of the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe suggests that pop culture, with its broad appeal and relatability, can be an effective tool for teaching the principles of the Theory of Enchantment. By using examples from movies, music, and other pop culture references, she aims to make these principles more accessible and engaging.

How does Chloe Valderry use Disney movies in her teaching to illustrate the principles of the Theory of Enchantment?

Chloe uses Disney movies like 'Moana' to illustrate the principles of the Theory of Enchantment. She points out that 'Moana' is about restoring love and compassion, which aligns with the third principle of her theory. The movie's narrative also reflects the human condition's capacity for both love and rage, emphasizing the importance of nurturing love to prevent descending into rage.

What is Chloe's view on the importance of individual renewal in creating social change?

Chloe believes that individual renewal is crucial for creating social change. She asserts that people must first develop a strong sense of self-worth and inner contentment to be able to love others and contribute positively to society.

How does Chloe address the challenge of valuing others who have tried to suppress you?

Chloe addresses this challenge by teaching the importance of treating all individuals with grace and empathy, as demonstrated by individuals like Daryl Davis. She believes that a strong sense of character allows one to de-personalize insults and meet others with love, even when they have tried to suppress you.

What does Chloe believe about the current diverse coalitions protesting for racial justice?

Chloe feels hopeful about the diverse coalitions protesting for racial justice, as they represent a broad and inclusive movement that cuts across color, socioeconomic backgrounds, and political spectrums. She sees this as a testament to the power of the idea of justice and a sign of positive change.