Finding grace when you feel challenged
Right now within the world we are at a point where the wound of racism, one that has always been there is now up in the fore front. The hardest thing for us all as humans is to face our privilege and our discomfort to it.
How can we find grace in this space?
Well, grace is how we show up and face things too. Grace is always available even in the mess in fact it can be our guide to navigate the difficult stuff and to do so with grace.
It can be hard to face when you feel like you’re a good, kind and caring person. This has been brought to your attention and you're being confronted with the fact that simply the colour of your skin gives your more privilege than another. Which most people think somehow you can over ride this now because society is changing. The fact is it’s not. Racism is very much alive and the barriers are still there. Often it’s dressed up in subtle ways, and it’s only when you're directly affected do you feel it.
I certainly have witnessed this with people I care and love who experience this over and over again. The time has come for change.
Until you have walked in someones shoes you never truly know how this feels.
We will never fully understand that from the moment you are born your skin colour will drive how the world responds to you and how that feels. However, we can choose to find a level of understanding and use our privilege to act on this and speak up when we see this.
Compassion is key here.
Even within the wellness and spiritual industry white privilege is very much alive and kicking, though it’s not readily talked about.
People will argue with you “all life matters", no one of colour is suggesting they matter more, its just the time has come the balance needs to be addressed and this is the most pressing issue.
The fact is this has always been here for hundreds of years, it is lifetimes of trauma that’s been ingrained and been present. It’s going to take some unpacking but it’s a journey we all need to begin with and we need to find ways that you can serve best from the space you are in.
This is not about taking the saviour approach but being an ally.
How can we do this :
Listening
Learning, reading things that will support this journey and talking with people about this. I will add some books and resources below that are good to begin with.
Sit with your discomfort and face it, rather than judge yourself and feeling consumed with guilt, feel it and look for ways to take positive actions moving forward.
Having conversations that may be uncomfortable with people is tough but needs to be done.
Understand that not everyone around will understand, and won’t respond positively.
Remember this isn’t a competition amongst white people who can do the most either.
This isn’t about quick fixes. This is about us all starting a healing journey for a deeply systemic situation which will bring about true change and healing.
It’s about meeting everyone where they are at, understanding that anger is needed at times for the healing process to begin. We need to recognise that anger is not always a bad thing, it’s part of the process and facilitates things moving forward.
Lastly, when situations like this arise things will feel heavy etc. To be our best we need to look after ourselves and apply self care so we can show up from a nourished place.
I know that this is a huge and challenging topic with so many layers and facets to it, this isn’t about being perfect, its about simply showing up and being willing to help towards a systemic change.
All my love
Hannah X
Below here are some helpful resources and books: