We've got work to undo!
It starts with taking care of you
Social justice activists have either been working for what seems like forever and we’re exhausted, or we’re new and overwhelmed with the task. But we can’t stop because the opportunity to create an equitable society has never been so close! It's hard work in normal times, but doing it during a pandemic, with a wannabe dictator in a lame duck phase? Talk about anxiety!
So how do we keep living, working, taking care of family and friends, and creating a just community if we’re irritable, angry, and sleepless?
We increase our capacity. We take small steps every day to recharge so we have the energy and focus to show up for life. Self-care is about doing things that boost your energy and mindset and make you happy. Too many of us think it’s one more thing we don’t have time for when really it’s THE thing that creates the time and capacity to do what’s important.
Ready to know more? Check out Calm in the Chaos to figure out what small actions could increase your capacity to live in the new normal.
Can you have fun while learning antiracism?
We teach antiracism, focusing on facts and integrating self-care to increase our emotional capacity. Our motto is no blame, no shame, no guilt because those emotions get in the way of learning. In fact, we teach tough topics with humor.
I had fun today laughing while learning. Seems like I’m borderline irreverent describing a webinar about fighting racism as having fun.
We’d rather build you up and teach you how to create a better future together. Our challenge to you is to learn America’s history of oppression, understand and recognize your own defensive behaviors, and take antiracist action. If you accept this challenge, it will be your undoing; your chance to dismantle and rebuild what you’ve learned (or lived) about racism, privilege & inequality, power dynamics, even self-care.
Taking Antiracist Action
America and the world are seeing what Black people and other people of color have always known: white supremacy and racism are embedded in American society. As white people see what was once invisible to them, the shock can be paralyzing. As Black people witness our brothers and sisters being hurt and killed without repercussions, it compounds racial trauma.
Whether you’re Black or white, if you’re new to racial and social justice and antiracism work, it can be confusing, even panic-inducing to:• define and recognize systemic racism
• challenge systemic oppression
• create an antiracist culture at work
• learn how to be an ally
• talk to your kids about racism
You Can:
• read books (consciously giving money to Black authors -or not- to discuss with friends)
• watch the news (knowing it’s biased)
• follow Black voices on social media and try to figure it out on your own, (knowing that you’re making mistakes, but not knowing what they are)
Or You Can:
do some intensive inner work with a professional facilitator and others who are also seeking to understand and shift their thinking.
If you're willing to do the inner work of self-care and learning the facts, register for Taking Antiracist Action, a 4-hour intensive that will move you from confusion and anxiety about racism to understanding how to be an ally. Or contact me about facilitating a culture change within your organization in the blue chat box below.
Be Brave. Love You. Heal Your Community.
ABOUT
No blame, no shame
We're not interested in getting a rise out of people, We're interested in getting *arise* out of people—doing the hard, healing work of teaching people how to stop racism and helping people increase their emotional capacity to can handle hard conversations. Explore how social justice, privilege, inequality, education, and power dynamics influence how we live and interact. Learn how racism was built into the founding of America and has been legislated ever since. It’s just invisible if you have the privilege of not living it. And that’s intentional.
I have the heart of a teacher, the background of a public relations specialist in the nonprofit sector, the expertise of an award-winning program creator, the gift of intuition, and a passion to help you discover how you can create a more loving and equitable society.
Even if you're not ready to fight racism, I'm here to help you expand your emotional capacity - stay present, breathe deeply, and find your calm in the chaos.
• self-care, increasing emotional resilience and capacity
• systemic racism and oppression
• privilege & inequality/power dynamics
• using small changes to make huge impacts
• race & American history
• getting people of diverse backgrounds to work together
• speaking truth to power
Learn
Unlearn the America myth and learn American history facts they don’t teach in school. Increase your emotional capacity to have hard conversations.
Understand
Racism is a system. We each uphold or challenge it with our actions every day. Controlling your emotions instead of letting them control you helps you learn and get engaged.
Recognize
White people are trained not to see our racist system. Pay attention to how you react to new information to make sure you hear the message. Knowing our history is empowering for Black and white folks.
Do Something
Small changes and a little bit of courage can have a huge impact. Breathe deeply, focus, learn, march, speak truth to power, pay Black people for their work. Make a difference.
