If, like me, you have the desire to help but are unsure of how, because things feel seismic and primal and massive, I propose one thing we can always do to avoid #paralysis is begin with personal practice. #BlackLivesMatter
(1/18)
(1/18)
We become what we practice.
#Practice a skill and you become better at it. Cease its practice and you become better at its opposite. There's no status quo. We are always practicing something. #BlackLivesMatter
(2/18)
#Practice a skill and you become better at it. Cease its practice and you become better at its opposite. There's no status quo. We are always practicing something. #BlackLivesMatter
(2/18)
If I cease practicing the acquisition, validation and refinement of knowledge, I don't just become worse at learning, I become better at misinformation and ignorance. #BlackLivesMatter
(3/18)
(3/18)
If I don't keep up the practice of empathy, I become an expert in indifference. If I don't practice #mercy, I grow my capacity for cruelty. #BlackLivesMatter
(4/18)
(4/18)
How does one do this?
Many answers, and they're personal ones.
Here's where I am at the moment: #Basics.
Foundation work - manageable, achievable evolution in these areas: #BlackLivesMatter
(5/18)
Many answers, and they're personal ones.
Here's where I am at the moment: #Basics.
Foundation work - manageable, achievable evolution in these areas: #BlackLivesMatter
(5/18)
#Understanding, #Empathy, #Participation. Because I feel inadequately informed, numb and ineffectual. #BlackLivesMatter (6/18)
Understanding: Listening, Reading, Evaluating
Empathy: Listening, Acknowledging, Visualizing
Participation: Listening, Speaking, Supporting #BlackLivesMatter
(7/18)
Empathy: Listening, Acknowledging, Visualizing
Participation: Listening, Speaking, Supporting #BlackLivesMatter
(7/18)
Understanding | #Listening
Seeking the stories of those directly affected - those in the line of fire. Not about adding your voice to the chorus and co-opting. This is gathering the information from sources. Withholding judgement and the urge to debate. #BlackLivesMatter
(8/18)
Seeking the stories of those directly affected - those in the line of fire. Not about adding your voice to the chorus and co-opting. This is gathering the information from sources. Withholding judgement and the urge to debate. #BlackLivesMatter
(8/18)
Understanding | #Reading
"Reading" instead of "Viewing". YouTube clips, IG stories and sound bites aren't going to do it. Context matters. This is work for a longer timescale and deeper work. #BlackLivesMatter
(9/18)
"Reading" instead of "Viewing". YouTube clips, IG stories and sound bites aren't going to do it. Context matters. This is work for a longer timescale and deeper work. #BlackLivesMatter
(9/18)
Books, long-form articles, essays - sourced and cited. These formats require more time and attention both to create and to absorb. Imperfect, and they will be opinionated of course, but generally better supported and more thorough than any hot take. #BlackLivesMatter
(10/18)
(10/18)
Understanding | #Evaluating.
Vetting material, making sure there is data, evidence - assessing the quality of that data. Also, self-evaluation: witnessing your reaction to the material, tracing your patterns and biases. Knowing your baseline. #BlackLivesMatter
(11/18)
Vetting material, making sure there is data, evidence - assessing the quality of that data. Also, self-evaluation: witnessing your reaction to the material, tracing your patterns and biases. Knowing your baseline. #BlackLivesMatter
(11/18)
Empathy | Listening
In this context, using the testimonials to draw explicit connections to your own experience. Identifying where they do and do not intersect. Both are important. #BlackLivesMatter
(12/18)
In this context, using the testimonials to draw explicit connections to your own experience. Identifying where they do and do not intersect. Both are important. #BlackLivesMatter
(12/18)
Empathy | #Acknowledging
Accepting your place and role in events and being honest with your own attitudes, even if they are emergent and disturbing. #BlackLivesMatter
(13/18)
Accepting your place and role in events and being honest with your own attitudes, even if they are emergent and disturbing. #BlackLivesMatter
(13/18)
Empathy | #Visualizing
Placing yourself into the world of another. Directly supported by the practice of Understanding. The more informed we are, the better our ability to imagine ourselves in the reality of someone different from ourselves. #BlackLivesMatter
(14/18)
Placing yourself into the world of another. Directly supported by the practice of Understanding. The more informed we are, the better our ability to imagine ourselves in the reality of someone different from ourselves. #BlackLivesMatter
(14/18)
Participation | Listening
In this context, a pragmatic, cooperative exercise. Calling someone and checking in. Asking a question respectfully and hearing the other person out fully. Working on that one patience. Develop ing that muscle. #BlackLivesMatter
(15/18)
In this context, a pragmatic, cooperative exercise. Calling someone and checking in. Asking a question respectfully and hearing the other person out fully. Working on that one patience. Develop ing that muscle. #BlackLivesMatter
(15/18)
Participation | #Speaking
Articulating your support of those who need it - those who would benefit from the agency you can provide and the audience you can reach. Voicing in a manner that can be heard. #BlackLivesMatter
(16/18)
Articulating your support of those who need it - those who would benefit from the agency you can provide and the audience you can reach. Voicing in a manner that can be heard. #BlackLivesMatter
(16/18)
Participation | #Supporting
The practice here can be a donation, a mentorship, a service - contributing to society through measurable action, supplies, service and capital, no matter the size. Developing the habit of exercising your citizenship. #BlackLivesMatter
(17/18)
The practice here can be a donation, a mentorship, a service - contributing to society through measurable action, supplies, service and capital, no matter the size. Developing the habit of exercising your citizenship. #BlackLivesMatter
(17/18)
This is the framework I've got so far. Filling in the specifics. I'm open to suggestions and I'll try to post what I'm working on. I hope some of you will join in. #BlackLivesMatter
(18/18)
(18/18)
