moving beyond fear
part of my why for this offering and some lovely recommendations
Robin Wall Kimmerer, who wrote Braiding the Sweetgrass, among other books, shares:
“Each person, human or not, is bound to every other in a reciprocal relationship.
Just as all beings have a duty to me, I have a duty to them. If an animal
gives its life to feed me, I am in turn bound to support its life.
If I receive a stream’s gift of pure water, then I am responsible
for returning a gift in kind. An integral part of a human’s
education is to know those duties and how to perform them.”
My why for committing to (and offering) embodied antiracism work is, in part, that we are all interconnected. We saw the world when we were young as a web of connection. Developmentally we feel bound to our caregivers. If there is trauma, this bond is less strong but can be strengthened (within ourselves). During this workshop, Ashnie and I clarify to folks that the trauma work happens in therapy, and the antiracism work (getting out our supremacist ways) happens in the workshop (which is in a Zoom room). Using art, meditation, and skilled holding, we create the container, and you show up to sift through your fear. I know it might induce fear right now, but here are some quotes from former participants to help ease the worry:
I really appreciated the whole thing. Combining antiracist work with mindfulness, with art to connect your thinking and feeling brain, along with time to solidify the learning through sharing. I enjoyed listening to others tell their stories, and related to people, learning through their fear and braveness. Also I appreciate the gentle questioning of assumptions. It was great that the group came from different places.
I can get too personally involved in making a mistake, especially a racialized mistake, and deplete my attention and focus for the real work of being human and making actions towards equity and inclusion for the global majority. This workshop raises up this issue straight on for white-bodied people. What does it take to move beyond this fear and get to the real work.
When asked what worked for you another participant shared:
The level of sharing. The responses to the sharing by Ashnie and Bridget and the teaching embedded in these responses to us.
We were gently directed to return, time and time again to our bodies. This helped me metabolize sometimes painful recollections about the racialized culture I grew up in
I appreciated the structure of moving through the NIRA model week by week. And the teachers willingness to challenge me/us tempered with compassion and patience.
There are so many ways this workshop differs from other ways that I, as a white-bodied person, have learned about racism. Reading books, attending informational workshops, watching films & documentaries, etc.: all important, all helpful. But not necessarily embodied — with all the discomfort that entails — & moving through the body with art, song, movement, as well as just our conversations with each other. I really appreciate the Notice-Inquire-Return-Action (NIRA) framework — especially a whole expanded understanding of Return, not only to myself (a la NBD point practice), but also in the context of my racialized mistakes & how I can learn to not repeat them. I will be carrying this framework with me, & using it. I also appreciated the use of art & body shapes to express our feelings about racialized situations. And being in company with everyone else who was part of this workshop.
Join us for two free previews and then we hope you will sign up and tell your friends!
Sharing our amazing teachers to whom we are indebted:
https://angelkyodowilliams.com/bio/
https://adriennemareebrown.net/
https://thebodyisnotanapology.com/about-tbinaa/history-mission-and-vision/
Please join us:
Reach out with any questions at all,
bridget@expressivearts.work