Bring In The New By Fixing The Old?
Hello once again and Happy Winter to you all. I often enjoy the months of January and February, a time of settling into the school year that required so much gathering and preparation in the preceding season.
Speaking of the preceding season, let's ring in 2020 with some acknowledgements. I know in general that many of us are overwhelmed and discouraged politically and culturally. Basic survival has become more precarious for so many, rights and values are being challenged every day. It will become a real test to see if we are willing to pay the price for human rights beyond what we have done in the past, and a challenge to even try to begin to understand how to do this.
Yet I am also noticing that long -sought positive conversations and changes are beginning to shape our culture as well. They may not be huge and dramatic, but they are changes worth noting. Here are just a couple of recent news stories that got my attention:
- Disney signed a contract with Indigenous people in Norway before they made the movie Frozen 2. The contract affirms the studio's “desire to collaborate with the Sámi in an effort to ensure that the content of Frozen 2 is culturally sensitive, appropriate and respectful of the Sámi and their culture.”
- On the popular CBS reality TV show Survivor, one of the cast members was repeatedly touched without consent by another cast member and the victim spoke up about it. Despite CBS's attempt to address the situation, it was not immediately handled well, and was further complicated by the fact that it became part of the "gameplay" for cast members vying against each other for a million dollars. But after an additional incident occurred the offender was removed from the show. At the end of the season the first person affected was apologized to on the show and CBS acknowledged their mistakes and that the offender should have been removed immediately. Overall, and not without mistakes, which I think is how truly integrated change is going to have to be crafted, CBS demonstrated a willingness to educate themselves and learn from the experience. They have committed to make a real difference in the future.
- This particular conversation still lacks depth, but it was exciting to hear that the democratic presidential contenders were asked about the need for reparations for descendants of enslaved men and women in our country. On June 19th there will be a first-ever congressional hearing on the same.
- In January in Seattle, Town Hall is hosting a panel discussion exploring ways the city can best recognize its Indigenous roots and residents, and whether reparations should be a component of that process.
- And recently I was at an event at a newly renovated church where all genders of people stood together in the same bathroom line for 8 single WC's!
It is a bit of a non-sequitur, but I think these are all signs of a deep sea change that has been brought about by the shake up of status quo granted by our current president. From the white middle class position of relative wealth we had taken human rights so far but still tolerate plenty of extreme prejudice right under our noses and ignore the way that we and our collective past continues to contribute to poverty in our country. Perhaps now, as atrocities are increasing, we are beginning to realize the ongoing role of everyday people in this system, and that we have yet to clean up our history that has perpetuated and tolerated a vast array of social problems.
Personally, and on behalf of SSBP, I too am learning in fits and starts about my own inability to see my role as a white person with innate privilege in American society, to see how I continue to contribute to oppression, to racism and other forms of prejudice. I have so much growing to do, and I want this to come from my heart and not a mask of rhetoric and politically correct lingo. I want to make the school a place where discussion and action can come in an honest and personal way for everyone. I know I need help with this, and it will take more space on the agenda for 2020. Fortunately the invitation of Core Energetics is to look at all of ourselves, our mask, our lower self and finally our higher self, I trust it as a container for this transformation.
Fortunately we have had a good year for the school. We started our sixth cohort this fall and have 3 classes going strong. Students are investing themselves more and getting more out of the program every year. And my list of available practitioner's is growing. It is such an honor to see this work become available in the community, to see lives transformed and my goals manifesting!
My blessings to all of you in whatever is to come. Thank you so much for for your support,
Aylee