Yep! Womanist!
I think the video above is amazing. You draw your own conclusions.
I frame everything through the context of a middle class, white woman - so basically the second rung down from the top of the food chain. I try and keep that present when I hear other individuals get irate over the 'complaining' and 'over-reaction' of people of colour, those with disabilities, gay people etc. Anyone not part of 'them,' in essence.
I struggle against this as, in my mind, I'm a GOOD person. I'm totally not racist (except sometimes), never judgemental (except a couple times a day - ok hour) and it can be difficult to remain aware of the fact that the context of my life are blinders.
I thought about it the other day when I went into Chinatown to go get a few bamboo back scratchers (honestly, this is an another do yourself a favour memos - bamboo backscratchers will add mini jolts of hedonistic bliss to your day) and I was the only white person in sight. It didn't occur to me for a while as I didn't grow up with an outsider mentality imposed on me - I'm not a minority, I have centuries of white makes right coded into behaviour. When I finally noticed, I thought this must be what it feels like to be the only Asian/Black/Persian on the bus or whatever. Then I had to mentally slap myself upside the head in realizing that being a random person in a shopping mall actually doesn't give me any idea of what daily, subtle racism feels like.
I read an amazing celebrity blogger (seriously, everyone. She's amazing) who was pointing out that in a new fairy tale movie the Princes were strong jawed - blond, blue-eyed - men and it didn't occur to me, until pointed out by said badass mamacita (acerbic wit, stinging zingers, she's great) that she never gets to see her own face (Chinese) reflected back at her and I don't think about it as my face is always reflected back at me.
I think the reason people don't like to hear the concerns of others is that it implies that 'You' weren't doing enough/are part of the problem and also, then have a responsibility to make it right.
I think that's daunting to a lot of people since they have a dichotomy of either I'm good or bad in their mind and this notion that you have to see the future/know how it will work out to take action.
That is very much the number one thing I struggle with in many aspects of my life, not being in a state of analysis paralysis. Also, the notion of responsibility as a burden as opposed to a sense of personal power.
I don't think I am a bad person for times I was racist or judgemental - I think it means that I made shitty decisions about others from a place of ignorance and feeling bad about myself so wanting to drag others into the muck. I think it means that I now have power to be the stone that sends out ripples into my communities - and what are the ripples I send out? Do I step over people oppressing others because I don't want to take a chance I turn hatred and vitriol my way or do I jump off that diving board? Not knowing how it will work out but secure in the knowledge that if I am always playing the game of building up my fellow humans - that I am not operating from a game of you must lose so I can win - then it will all work out in the end.
My challenge to myself now is, do I choose to listen and see where that person is coming from and lead with love, regardless of how hard that might be or do I continue on the jaded path decided that person is stupid and unworthy of my time since they are incapable of discourse? Changing their mind? Humanity? Beyond hope? That's a lot to assume about another person and even if it's true, so what? What did I lose in trying to expand open-mindedness around me? Nothing.
I tend to get in the face of those that disagree with me but that doesn't further the discussion, if anything it gives them evidence that they were right about me/the issue/their opinion/etc.
These musings are my evolution(hopefully). They don't mean anything and they certainly are not instructions for how you should live. I hope that if anything, you have a chat with those around you as my most mind blowing moments are when my perspective has been incrementally shifted and irrevocably changed.
It just takes letting go - of the notion that you know best, that you have THE TRUTH, that holding on to that opinion will bring me any peace of mind or joy. Let go.
You do you. Make one small kind gesture not with anyone knowing.
You know why 'Be the Change' is repeated so often?
Because you are the only captain of your ship. Sail on, pirate.
a haiku:
some revolution
a little brain shake for change
a dash of pure love
xo
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