Yes, Black Lives Matter.
Are black people the only group that are dealing with oppression and hatred right now? No, far from. But placing a focus on one group's pain doesn't negate the significance of other journeys.
A rising tide raises all ships.
When we target injustice in any area, we create traction and a blueprint for future steps toward inclusivity. I was up tossing and turning for most of last night, both head and heart heavy with the pain and hurt my fellow Americans (and allies around the world) have been expressing with such clarity over the last few days.
And I'm embarrassed to say that I think the absurdity of the existence of this statement has only just now fully dawned on me. The fact that a group of people in our society feel the need to state that THEIR LIVES MATTER is a devastating realization when you truly hold space for it.
If you can't fully conceptualize the gravity of this statement, personalize it. Consider what you would feel knowing that your daughter or son, your brother or sister, your spouse or your friend felt that their life was not worth anything to the people in their community or country.
Your heart would break.
You would lift them up in any way you could, remind them that they fully have the right to exist, to love, to be loved, and to be free, regardless of accomplishment or merit.
We as a society have failed when anyONE, let alone entire groups of people, are treated as if their lives are worth less than those of others.
When humans in a country built on the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are not given equal access to those rights.
This is the name of a movement that should not have had to be created. But we all know it's needed.
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I'd like to think that the people who know me personally are very clear about my stance on racist behavior as well as all other types of prejudice, systemic inequality, and oppression of other humans in general. (If you do know me personally and any of this surprises you, please tell me!)
However, this current conversation on race and anti-racism has held a mirror up to the bias I've developed against sharing 'political' beliefs and values in the professional space. So I'm going to do some work on that, starting now.
This isn't an account about politics, but it is an account about our common humanity. About the impact of trauma and about seeing the whole person. About growing through our challenges, both those that are universal as well as those unique to each of us. About the power of love, kindness, and compassion.
So I'd say the Black Lives Matter movement is a pertinent topic. And if loved ones being killed in the street isn't a bio.psycho.social. issue, then I don't know what is.
I grew up as an outspoken person, mostly by nurture, though I'm sure some of it was there from birth. It was a feature I was proud of- as a young child I walked out of class when a teacher was degrading another student, confronting them (shakily, but clearly) when they came running after me; I spoke out against people who led with ignorance, privilege, or hate. I aligned myself with with unpopular opinions if they were what I felt was right and true.
Then came my foray into corporate America.
I was trained early on in my career to not share personal views on polarizing topics. I was too blunt, too confronting, it made people uncomfortable. This was just 'how we do things' in the business world. Always a tempered response that could be interpreted to align with the viewpoint of whoever was reading or listening.*
Tie that to a fear of not being able to make a living if I did speak up, and I am ashamed to say that even my voice, the one I thought was so strong and full of integrity, began to get quieter and quieter, more and more 'diplomatic,' eventually silent.
I began keeping my thoughts and opinions to myself to make sure to keep everyone else happy and comfortable.
This lack of commitment to ethics and values over the state of the bottom line is one of the main reasons I never felt aligned in the corporate world and left it to fully pursue a career in the healing practices. But as they're wont to do, it seems that some of that conditioning came along with me into this new role. So I'm stating publicly, now, that I'm letting my loud mouth open back up.
In my work, I talk about the importance of allowing ourselves to experience the full range of our emotions and the power of vulnerability, authenticity, compassion, and connection. So I need to walk the walk.
What's appropriate to share here v. my personal forums? I'm not sure. I'm going to work on figuring that out, too. I don't share to be divisive, shut out differing opinions, or preach that ‘my way is the only way'.’ I hope it results in the opposite- more inclusivity, connection, and conversation. But I do commit to being clear on where I stand and why, and being honest when I change my stance on something due to new information or experience. After all, if we're not changing, we're not growing.
I hope everyone feels safe to share their lived truth, as well, and 100% welcome differing opinions and beliefs, as long as they are stated with an intent to learn from each other and our own selves through the process. We should all test the things we hear against our direct experience, gathered information, and deeper intellect before coming to a conclusion. I can't wait to learn and grow with this community.
Hopefully through the process, we can move closer to an equitable society, for Black Americans and other minorities, and toward freedom and happiness for ALL sentient beings.