11/06/2020
This is a đź’Żđź’Żđź’Ż. Breaking up with white supremacy begins in our nervous system and bodies. Go to .earth.embodiment and read it ALL
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ANTI-RACISM WORK IS NERVOUS SYSTEM WORK
Our nervous systems play a huuuuuge role in how we’re showing up right now, yet few are speaking to it (shout out to , , , and others for guiding my thoughts and understanding here). I want to be clear that when we're talking about nervous systems, it's not to excuse people's behavior or let folk "off the hook." Rather, it's an important lens to utilize, especially when we’re trying to navigate our own actions (or inactions) as allies, and how to show up in coherent ways.
White folk: to be an effective ally, it is important to check in with your body right now. What’s going on? Perhaps ask yourself…
Am I experiencing hyper-vigilance? Do I feel guilty for being white (or non-black)? How is my guilt affecting the way I’m showing up? Am I acting from a place of fear of being called out or being told I’m “bad” or “wrong”? Am I experiencing a response of hyper-socialization? Am I performing my activism? Am I constantly questioning if I’m doing the “right” things? Making the “right” posts? Reposting the “right” thing on my social media account? Or being the “right” kind of silent?
Am I in a hyper-aroused fight response? Feeling defensive? Frustrated? Angry? Moving at a fast paced speed with impulses to act NOW without a breathe or moment to consider the action I’m taking or words I’m saying?
Am I in a hyper-aroused flight response? Do I want to run away from these conversations? Do I feel anxious and afraid of everything coming in? Do I ignore the news or posts my Black friends are making?
Am I experiencing hypo-arousal in the form of a freeze? Am I confused about what I can do? Does it feel paralyzing to post anything? Have I gone to a protest and felt completely overwhelmed? Does all of this feel like too much, like I can’t handle it?
Am I in a hypo-arousal of numbness, especially in my feeling body? Are my feelings hard to access? Do I feel cut off from emotions or my internal experience? Do I feel nothing? (Cont. in comments... 👇🏼)
