Journeying Toward Freedom and Equity

https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/03/23/willing-to-look-at/ We have a sign in our Florida condo that says, “Blessed.” It serves as both decoration and declaration. It blends nicely with our Florida decor (sans flamingos!) but also acknowledges our gratitude for the many blessings we try not to take for granted.  Yet, this little sign prickles. It prickles because it is a constant reminder of the disparity  between my abundance and the scarcity and suffering experienced by so many of my brothers and sisters.  What did I do to deserve my advantages? Some would say good fortune and hard work. What I have come to learn is that much of my well-being is due to my white privilege. Being white gave me a head-start right out of the gate.  How do I respond to the prickle caused by that sweet little sign? I try not to look away. I wrestle with the tension. I acknowledge that racism still enslaves our people; I continue to educate mys...

    Thursday’s reflection from the Ignatian Solidarity Network addresses the differences between self-preservation and vulnerability. https://ignatiansolidarity.net/blog/2021/02/25/self-preservation-vulnerability/           Last semester, I took a course in Multicultural Psychology and it was truly one of the most eye-opening courses I have ever taken. My professor opened each session not only as a safe space, but a “brave space.” Our sessions helped me to recognize that it is okay not to know all there is to know about marginalized populations. It is okay to make honest mistakes as we continue to grow and learn about individuals who are different from us. But as we learn, we must be honest with ourselves. We have to be willing to acknowledge those moments where we did not see the full picture, or we did not recognize our brothers and sisters the way we should have.          ...