Let's Get Things Started--I Have a Question for You
In March our world changed forever and we have yet to see what a post-COVID life will look like. Will there even be a time when we are post-COVID? Please say yes. This is effing hard. I know you know. Most of the country went Stay at Home around the end of the third week/beginning of the fourth week of March--that means most places in the US haven't even quarantined for three months yet.
And then George Floyd was murdered. Countless other black and BIPOC people have been murdered in our country and many of us have posted about that, lamented about it, felt outraged by it...but George Floyd ignited something different. Yes, there have been protests before. But we are seeing protests now that include an interracial coalition--African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinx, LGBTQ people, and white people. For the most part, these protesters are wearing masks to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. We are seeing people come together despite class, race, gender, and religious differences. YES. We've seen protests before in our history. But somehow this feels different, too.
As a Feminist Transformational Coach, I work with mission driven women who often feel powerless to create the meaningful change they desire in the world. I help them dismantle the internalized paradigms of the patriarchy so that they can lead an unstoppable life that makes a difference.
I am in the process of creating an online class teaching women (and men!) what the paradigms of the patriarchy are so that they can begin the process of dismantling them and set themselves free from the tyranny of the Patriarchal Masculine. (Both men and women are negatively affected by the Patriarchal Masculine.)
All this to say--racism is a key paradigm of the patriarchy. This deserves a longer discussion...but it has its roots in Eurocentric patterning/binary thinking...meaning there's an us/them mentality at the core.
MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS THIS: WHAT DID YOU THINK AND FEEL THE FIRST TIME YOU HEARD THE TERM, WHITE PRIVILEGE? I am asking this primarily of my white readers, however I am interested in answers from BIPOC people as well! PLEASE CLICK HERE and let me know! (The survey is anonymous.)
I'LL GET THE BALL ROLLING: I heard the term, White Privilege, several years ago (I can't remember exactly when). I remember almost feeling hurt by the phrase. My thoughts were, "Oh no! Not ME! I'm a good person! That's not me!"
Maybe you can relate to that response. Maybe your response was wildly different. Maybe your first response is exactly where you are now. Maybe you've changed a ton since that first moment. Whatever it is, I'd truly love to know.
WHY DO I WANT TO KNOW? Because I have a strong desire to speak honestly and openly about racism, antiracism, white privilege, white supremacy, systemic racism, the patriarchy, and all the things that are (and have been) deeply negatively affecting BIPOC living in a white world. I want to do this because I want the world to be a better place. And as we all know, that starts with doing our own work. I believe this conversation has to start with honesty. I hold everyone here with deep love and compassion. And I think simply acknowledging our thoughts and feelings when we first heard the term, White Privilege is a good starting place.
The next conversation I plan on having is about White Privilege and what it is. I plan on having this conversation in an open and raw way, all centered in love.
I invite all of you into this conversation.
If you follow me on social media, I'll be having this conversation there as well.
Click here to find me on Facebook.
Click here to find me on Instagram.
Click here to watch a conversation with Lisa Skye who is a wonderful interviewer--you can hear more about who I am and why and what I'm doing in this fun interview!
Sending you all love. Please stay safe and healthy!
Elijah