A New Year and I have a Story to Share

My Story

As we start 2023, it has come to my attention that some of the people in my professional life, some of whom I have known for up to more than twenty years, do not have an understanding of my stance on systemic racism or my personal choice to endeavor to live an anti-racist life. I want to take a moment to share my own story so that others do not feel the need to speculate on, and then proffer their own opinions about it, thus trying to tell my story for me, even if only to themselves.

I grew up in a overtly bigoted place in our country; where other white people openly shared their racists comments, jokes, and bigoted stereotypes. I realized many years ago, years before the 2020 - 2022 years that systemic generational racism has received an abundance of much needed attention, that this environment absolutely created in me biases and imbedded judgements of people who appear different than me and I knew I did not want that to impact, subconsciously or consciously, how I am in relationship with others.

It is in more recent years, and amplified during 2020 - present, that I have made the very conscious decision to educate myself on the history of our country that is not taught in school by choosing to seek out credible resources and align myself with anti-racism as my way of living. The horrors of the way our country was "settled" through the complete devastation wrought on the Native American people; the origins of American slavery and how it fueled the engine of our infant county's economy through today; and the subsequent brutality, inequity and inequality that Black, Indigenous and Brown people have been subject to since the time that English Anglo-Saxon people transplanted here - all romanticized in the history that I was taught in school. The happy Indians gathering to meet with the Pilgrims is one such romanticized "story". For anyone who takes the time to research the first thanksgiving, the feast that everyone refers to was thought to be in 1621 and received no more than a scant few sentences about a three day feast and entertaining of tribal leaders and settlers. It is one year later that the term "thanksgiving" is actually referenced in which the settler's "celebrated" by placing the head of a massacred tribe's chief's on on a stake for everyone to see. I had no idea of the realities that were the "settling" of our country. Stories and accounts described within history books were most often narrated by the winners, those left standing. We must dig deeper.

I also had no concept of true impact of systemic generational racism upon all of polity and systems in our country, nor of the advantages I had/have by merely being white, until I had the opportunity, through my church, to participate in, and subsequently lead, Let’s Talk: White Privilege discussion groups. The discussions are hard.?They are designed to be hard - to cause one to look at why and how they came to believe things about "others"; the history of the laws, and the purposes behind those laws, that shaped our polity and systems; the fact that Black, Indigenous and Brown people can work just as hard or harder and not attain the same position or benefits or wealth in life that I have. They made/make me face hard truths about my own ignorance around the subject of race and the ingrained biases I held/hold, but the discussions are totally worth it and I am forever grateful that I was introduced to them and I am honored to help others to embark on this exploration of self and to have these discussions. People get mad that the discussions happen. They send hate-filled emails and talk with everyone about it but the people involved. That is unfortunate. It is still worth it.

To date, none of my colleagues or industry friends have asked me directly about my journey or my decision to speak out against systemic generational racism. Not asking is their prerogative, however, several have made statements, both to me and to others, about why they believe I am speaking or acting in a way that may make them uncomfortable, or that they don't agree with, but they have not asked me. ?So, I hope this brief, and woefully incomplete, share of how I arrived in this space helps some of the individuals I have known for decades better understand where I am at in my journey and perhaps some of it may resonate with someone. I am unapologetic in my stance, and for those of you who know me well, or not so well, know that I am direct in my delivery and do not shy away from difficult discussions. I am always happy, and welcome the opportunity, to have respectful conversation with anyone who cares to approach me directly to discuss the impacts of systemic generational racism and how we can be better humans with/to each other.

I am including a resource on the definition of racism and anti-racism. I know I held incorrect definitions and perceptions of both prior to embarking on this journey, so it might be beneficial to someone else. Also attached is?a link to one of the preeminent trainers in the anti-racism space, ? Theresa M. Robinson, ABD . She is outspoken, tough, and wonderful. Her ability to hold one accountable to their own anti-racist journey is masterful and she truly leads with her heart, because as she says, This is Heart Work. I?have joined her True Anti-Racism Allies community that gives a safe space in which to learn, unlearn and relearn about myself, the foundational depth and breadth of systemic racism, my own relationship with racism and how to live into an impactful anti-racist life. I encourage everyone to question the "why" of your belief systems. I suspect that many, like me, will come up short on educated reasons for believing many things about Black, Indigenous and Brown peoples.

https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-anti-racism-5071426

https://deibytmr.thinkific.com/