Another great, thought-provoking read. As I was reading it and got to your part about us white people taking responsibility for fixing the injustices our forefathers caused, I could sense my resistance raise up. "Why me?? I'm trying to take care of myself! How can I be responsible? My ancestors were from South America/hard-working normal folk up North! Why doesn't Elon Musk fix it with his BILLIONS?! Or, I don't know.. government?" So I can see I went from avoiding responsibility to anger at the futility of it all, and when I look more, and think about it in detail-- like what would it mean to contribute to say a college fund, for example. Would that really end racism? I don't think it would. But there is the crux.. I'm resistant to helping because I don't think it will change such a HUGE issue like systemic racism, and ultimately that is FAILURE (reminds me of how the 9 of Wands feels). And why would I want to be a part of something that is the equivalent taking a piece of sand off the beach? Thank you for your thoughtful piece. We need these uncomfortable conversations.
Thanks so much, Sarah! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. A couple of thoughts:
Yes, I feel that resistance sooooooo much. I felt it even as I was typing the words that you can take responsibility for fixing something that you didn't cause. But I also don't disagree with you that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc. SHOULD be doing something with their billions to help the rest of us. That's also what I was thinking when I was writing this post—that people rightly resent those who have amassed huge amounts of wealth and power and don't share any of it with others. Which also means that, if I am able to grow any kind of wealth, it's also MY responsibility to help others in proportion to that. Just as it's my responsibility now to help others with the privilege I have. (But saying that and actually doing it are two different things!!)
I also feel the resistance to solving a problem that can't be solved by me alone or will not be solved in my lifetime. That's in part why I want to lead sessions of the Work That Reconnects because it helps people see themselves not as a single savior of the world, but a part of a larger system of care. Moving that one piece of sand may be all that I or someone else can do, but a lot of people moving sand will make a dent.
Another great, thought-provoking read. As I was reading it and got to your part about us white people taking responsibility for fixing the injustices our forefathers caused, I could sense my resistance raise up. "Why me?? I'm trying to take care of myself! How can I be responsible? My ancestors were from South America/hard-working normal folk up North! Why doesn't Elon Musk fix it with his BILLIONS?! Or, I don't know.. government?" So I can see I went from avoiding responsibility to anger at the futility of it all, and when I look more, and think about it in detail-- like what would it mean to contribute to say a college fund, for example. Would that really end racism? I don't think it would. But there is the crux.. I'm resistant to helping because I don't think it will change such a HUGE issue like systemic racism, and ultimately that is FAILURE (reminds me of how the 9 of Wands feels). And why would I want to be a part of something that is the equivalent taking a piece of sand off the beach? Thank you for your thoughtful piece. We need these uncomfortable conversations.
Thanks so much, Sarah! I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. A couple of thoughts:
Yes, I feel that resistance sooooooo much. I felt it even as I was typing the words that you can take responsibility for fixing something that you didn't cause. But I also don't disagree with you that Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, etc. SHOULD be doing something with their billions to help the rest of us. That's also what I was thinking when I was writing this post—that people rightly resent those who have amassed huge amounts of wealth and power and don't share any of it with others. Which also means that, if I am able to grow any kind of wealth, it's also MY responsibility to help others in proportion to that. Just as it's my responsibility now to help others with the privilege I have. (But saying that and actually doing it are two different things!!)
I also feel the resistance to solving a problem that can't be solved by me alone or will not be solved in my lifetime. That's in part why I want to lead sessions of the Work That Reconnects because it helps people see themselves not as a single savior of the world, but a part of a larger system of care. Moving that one piece of sand may be all that I or someone else can do, but a lot of people moving sand will make a dent.