POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Becoming Activators of Change
“The power in people is stronger than people in power.”
― Saji Ijiyemi
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” Bishop Desmond Tutu
Well, this has been a powerful, intense, scary few months and weeks. Pandemic, protests, economic challenges, violence, outrage and confusion. We have witnessed masses of people organizing and asking for real change and justice for Black Americans – around the world.
I have been contemplating what I want to say to you. Then, I thought maybe we could enter into dialogue. Later in this newsletter, I will give you opportunities to join me online to share your thoughts and feelings about the state of the world.
This week I received emails, texts, and calls from friends and clients. Many were Caucasian and wanted to know how I was, during this intense time. The conversations touched my heart and opened space for some of the most authentic conversations I have ever experienced. We talked about the sadness, the hurt, the pain and the trauma of recent events. We talked about being asleep to the abuse of African Americans. Some didn’t understand why we are saying “Black Lives Matter” instead of all lives matter. Of course, we all matter. However, Black Americans have been the targets of abuse, lynching and murders for 400 years. The focus has to be on dismantling systematic racism. My friend, Marci Shimoff shared this with me:
John and Ocean Robbins, dear friends and colleagues of mine, expressed what we have to do eloquently and accurately: “Some people say that ‘all lives matter.’ And of course, it’s true. But if a house is on fire, you don’t call the fire department and say, ‘all houses matter.’ You call the fire department to the specific house that needs urgent attention. Today, we say Black Lives Matter, specifically, because it’s urgent that we address and heal the egregious injustices that are devastating the Black community.”
So, we talked about what we are witnessing, and we shared how white privilege has closed their eyes and hearts to the truth of racism, internally and externally. We also talked about being parents and grandparents. How are we going to leave a better world for our children? A world where they feel equal, safe, honored, respected, educated and thrive.
Then, it got very real. How do people walking the spiritual path take action to create the world we desire? Not everyone wants to march. Somehow, they shared, praying and meditating doesn’t seem to be enough.
So, I want to talk about taking back our power and being activators of change. What does that mean to me? Each and every one of us moving into a field of awakening where we claim the power of conscious people in action. A field where we individually and collectively, put our full attention and intentionality on lifting the frequency of the world for the betterment of humanity.
CONSCIOUS REVOLUTION
It is my belief that we are in the midst of a conscious revolution. A time when masses of people are calling for healing and awakening.
Throughout history, change makers have led conscious revolutions. Meaning, they invited people to come together in community, demand change and take a public stand. Here are a few:
Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, c. March 1822[1] – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist and political activist. She was also a queen that was way ahead of her time. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped and subsequently made some 13 missions to rescue approximately 70 enslaved people, including family and friends,[2] using the network of antislavery activists and safe houses known as the Underground Railroad. During the American Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the Union Army. In her later years, Tubman was an activist in the struggle for women’s suffrage.
Susan B. Anthony (February 15, 1820 – March 13, 1906) was an American social reformer and women’s rights activist who played a pivotal role in the women’s suffrage movement. Born into a Quaker family committed to social equality, she collected anti-slavery petitions at the age of 17. In 1856, she became the New York state agent for the American Anti-Slavery Society.
Mahatma Gandhi, byname of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, (born October 2, 1869, Porbandar, India—died January 30, 1948, Delhi), Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against the British rule of India. As such, he came to be considered the father of his country. Gandhi is internationally esteemed for his doctrine of nonviolent protest(satyagraha) to achieve political and social progress.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a Baptist minister and civil-rights activist who had a seismic impact on race relations in the United States, beginning in the mid-1950s. Among his many efforts, King headed the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). Through his activism and inspirational speeches, he played a pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African-American citizens in the United States, as well as the creation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
My friend, Melinda Wittstock sent this to me. The marches these past 10 days have created this:
👏🏿 Minneapolis bans use of choke holds.
👏🏿 Charges are upgraded against Officer Chauvin; his accomplices are arrested and charged.
👏🏿 Dallas adopts a “duty to intervene” rule that requires officers to stop other cops who are engaging in inappropriate use of force.
👏🏿 New Jersey’s attorney general said the state will update its use-of-force guidelines for the first time in two decades.
👏🏿 In Maryland, a bipartisan work group of state lawmakers announced a police reform work group.
👏🏿 Los Angeles City Council introduces motion to reduce LAPD’s $1.8 billion operating budget and redirect funds to where most 911 calls and mental health or drug rehabilitation needs.
👏🏿 MBTA in Boston agrees to stop using public buses to transport police officers to protests.
👏🏿 Police brutality captured on cameras leads to near-immediate suspensions and firings of officers in several cities (i.e., Buffalo, Ft. Lauderdale).
👏🏿 Monuments celebrating confederates are removed in cities in Virginia, Alabama, and other states.
👏🏿Street in front of the White House is renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza.”
👏🏿Military forces begin to withdraw from D.C.
All of this, because people took a stand…..together!
PERCEPTION COLORS THINKING AND BEHAVIOR
I am an African American women and I have been on this planet for decades. I have experienced abuse, trauma, exclusion based on the color of my skin, followed in stores for no reason, and treatment no human deserves. It has taken many years of tears, doubts, confusion and sheer determination to stop seeing myself as a victim. I finally got to a place where I accepted my value as a human being, a woman and a teacher. I finally arrived at the knowing that I control my destiny, my thoughts and my reactions. The moment I turned that corner, I found my voice. I began to stand up for myself, demand respect and walk with dignity. The danger did not go away. I just reacted differently.
George Floyd’s death and the protests are centered around justice for African Americans in this country. Truly, for me, it is about tearing down the walls of institutionalized racism, a sick justice system, corrupt leadership, police brutality corporate greed and not seeing people of color as equal.
I want to be clear here. I do not believe all police are racist. In fact, in my heart, I know that the majority want to be places of “protection and service.” However, a country anchored in slavery and inequality has created a divide that has been unjust, abusive and lacking morality.
I think we are called to look at our perspectives. Let’s face it, we have all been conditioned in a racist society. We all see color, even if we don’t want to admit it. We all have prejudices that get filtered through the lenses of family, environment, education and life experience. No one is exempt.
The picture above is a statement. These people – black, white, young, old, and police officers kneeling for peace and justice is the start. Each one of these people chose to shift their thinking and decide to make this moment a stand for peace. No matter where we have come from, where we live or what challenges we have faced….we all want to be loved, feel safe and be respected.
That moment in time is exciting to me because in every moment we get to look inside and CHOOSE how we want to react and respond to any situation.
QUESTIONS FOR CONTEMPLATION AND CONVERSATION
How do we learn to speak up, stand up, and lift up our voices for justice and equality? Deep listening can open the heart. Dialogue can create understanding. Compassion can move us all in the direction of our dreams for a whole that supports and lifts all of humanity. Here are some questions for you to contemplate.
How do we heal the wounds of ourselves and people in this country from:
- Oppression
- Abuse
- Historical Trauma
- Victimology
- Corporate Greed
- Disenfranchisement of Women
How do we dismantle:
- Racism
- Sexism
- Unconscious choices
- Degrading conversations
- Silence in the face of unacceptable behavior
I would love for you to join me for three amazing conversations as we explore becoming Activators of Change.
FB Live: Conversation with Geneen Roth – Bestselling Author of Women, Food and God. TOPIC: Navigating Separation: Them vs Us. Wednesday, June 16 at 2:30 mountain time.
Bridging Spirituality with Action for Positive Change – A conversation with me, Indian Guru, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Iyanla Vanzant and Tina Lifford. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/ArtOfLivingTV/featured
Conversation of the Heart – June 19 (Juneteenth) – Conversation for women to share our feelings, concerns, and desires. We will also do a forgiveness exercise and healing meditation. Here is the link: https://l0u8c3pq.pages.infusionsoft.net
Many blessings. Stay safe.
Much love,
Cynthia
