Black Lives Matter, A Pledge

I went down a social media rabbit hole starting on #BlackoutTuesday after George Floyd’s death on May 25, 2020. I paused and listened deeply. Then, I got confused, “How can I help? What do I say? What’s the right thing to do?”

Here’s what arose for me, and see if you hear something in this for you.

Let go of the “I should have, I could have….” that keeps me planted in the land of guilt, victimhood and blame.

Be here now.

Give up the fear, worry and grief. It keeps me rooted in regret and helplessness.

Be here now.

Now—today—I’m going to sit in the explosive energy of June. May was all about the harvest of our choices, June is about witnessing that choice come to life.

At the bottom of one of my rabbit holes I found poet Lindsay Young. Lindsay is from Long Island. She represented Philadelphia at the 2018 Women of the World Poetry Slam and represented New York as a member of The Nuyorican Poets Cafe’s 2018 National Poetry Slam team. She wrote:

 

“Resistance is NOT a one lane highway. Maybe your lane is protesting, maybe your lane is organizing, maybe your lane is counseling, maybe your lane is art activism, maybe your lane is surviving the day.

Do NOT feel guilty for not occupying every lane. We need all of them.”

What lane are you in?

 

As I continued down my rabbit hole, I moved from Instagram to Twitter and found Deepa Iyer.

Deepa Iyer is a South Asian American writer, strategist, lawyer, and racial justice advocate. She is a Strategic Advisor at Building Movement Project and Director of Solidarity Is, a project that provides trainings, narratives, and resources on building deep and lasting multiracial solidarity.

After 9/11 she went within to her inner mentor to create a visual mapping exercise that helps identify roles in a social change ecosystem.

What I love about this ecosystem is that there is a place for you, an anchor to commit to when you feel confused, as I did earlier this week.

This is a start to rebuilding from the NOW forward–towards bringing our highest and best to every conversation and action.

With Deepa’s permission I’m sharing in hopes that it gives you direction on what the world needs from you, now.

 

 

 

 

Where do you fit in?
What’s your superpower you can share?

 

What’s risker?

 

Setting a vision and standing for it? Knowing in your heart and soul THIS is what I believe in.

Or knowing you really want something—but aren’t willing to step out and say it.

This could be in any area of your life: building that business you dream about, taking action in the Black Lives Matter movement, or telling someone you are ready to move on.

Both are risky.

But setting a vision and standing for it, that’s a risk that leaders are willing to take.

 

“Leaders” includes everyone—you and me.

 

You are the leader of your life. Motherhood is leadership. My 6-year-old daughter is the leader of her mindset, compassion and kindness. Leaders are setting a vision for the future which takes courage and bravery. These leaders stand the test of time.

Are you a risk taker?

Are you willing to take a stand and mess up? Or be brave or ridiculous? Are you willing to put yourself out there for something you believe in? Are you willing to have friends and family ask, “What in the world are you doing/? Why would you risk that?!”

Peel off the layer of “I’m scared to say X, Y, Z. It’s not my place because X, Y, Z. What will X, Y, Z think about me if I…?”

What’s underneath that voice in your head? Humility? Fear? Scarcity? Hey, it’s ok, we’re all human.

And that’s the point—we are all human, here to stretch, grow, learn and be a light for others.

You have a voice and a body for a reason and that’s to share your light with the world—care for and tend to humankind, of all colors, classes and beliefs.

Your inner work has a ripple effect that will shatter your limiting beliefs and pour out of you in love and goodwill, let your soul do the work.

 

 

I’ve taken a pledge as a small business owner to support antiracism and speak and act in ways that advance racial equity worldwide.

 

If you would like to take the same pledge, I encourage you to visit Rachel Rodgers Town Hall website to learn more.

We’re all in this together, and I’m here to listen if you need an ear.