Recovery
The past couple months have been very intense with the specter of racism evident for all to see. People of color may not have been surprised but for me seeing what occurred when white supremacists descended on Charlottesville in July and August was shocking and a call to action. It challenged me to think about how I help perpetuate racism by keeping systems in place that keep others down. If you struggle to understand the concept of white privilege, here is an excerpt from comedian Omar Ismail that was helpful for me.:
“Consider it this way. All I know about you is you’re tall.
Do you have any advantages? Yes.
Does that mean you don’t deserve the can of tuna on the higher shelf? No. Nobody is saying that. Eat away mighty giant.
Should you feel guilty about getting the tuna from the top shelf? No. Nobody is saying that. Lighten your soul’s burden and let it fly free in the clouds beneath your knees.
Does that mean short people can’t get the tuna? No. Nobody is saying that.
Does that mean there aren’t disadvantages of being tall? No. Nobody is saying that. You have our sympathy for your poor bruised knees.
What people are saying is:
Denying you are lucky is silly.
Stop looking bewildered every time a short person can’t reach something. We’re sick of explaining this incredibly simple concept……
It works out well for most people, for the grocery store to put most things on medium shelves.
If you can help shorter people with things on higher shelves, do so. Why would you not do that? Short people can help you with stuff on lower shelves.
We are annoyed that the people who run the grocery store put all the best stuff on the top shelves.
There are a lot of people who are putting things on higher shelves because they hate short people. Don’t associate with those people.
For the entire article click here.
I have been impressed to see how our local ‘alt-health’ community has come together to try to help heal these traumatic events. Various local organizations have pulled together therapists, acupuncturists, body workers, and healers together to donate their time to folks affected. I felt honored to volunteer at Common Ground Healing Arts during one of their offerings. There were 11 practitioners that night and 40 folks were able to receive services.
How do we heal from the impact of living in a town where a terrorist drove into a crowd of people and killed one of our own? How do we move forward toward unity? I was inspired by Heather Heyer’s mother, Susan Bro: "Here's what I want to happen. You ask me, 'What can I do?' So many people … I want this to spread. I don't want this to die. This is just the beginning of Heather's legacy – this is not the end of Heather's legacy. You need to find in your heart that small spark of accountability. 'What is there I can do to make the world a better place? What injustice do I see?' … You poke that finger at yourself like Heather would have done. You take that extra step. You find a way to make a difference in the world."
What is that spark inside of you? Please take what it is that you do well and share that with others.
Warmly,
Kim