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Articles
Racism And All The Ism's: Bringing Light to Darkness
by Rusty Stewart, Ph.D.
I have participated in hundreds of workshops and classes. The most intensive and life changing of these have been experiential. They have also been the most worthwhile because my assumptions, belief systems, and layers of denial have been challenged. Here is a list of the most important workshops and classes I have taken in the last 16 years of my life: Lifespring 1989, Insight 1991, Essential Experience 1991, Temple University Psychoeducational Processes Program Classes; T-Group 1995, Intimacy and Control 1995, and Tavistock 1996. Racism came up as an issue in every one of these learning experiences. Why? Because the format of these workshops and classes provided the safety, support, and confidentiality for difficult issues to surface and be explored. And race is an important issue that gets swept under the carpet by most people. It is unacceptable for this ostrich behavior to continue. Racism is real, it's still happening, and we're in denial!
There are two very important factors that keep racism alive. One is that it is still occuring all over the globe to greater or lesser extents. Yes, there are civil rights laws. Yes, there is affirmative action. But the reason we need these structures in place is because we do not treat everyone as equal. We do not listen to everyone equally. We do not pay everybody equally. We do not promote everyone equally. And, here is where one can really see how far we have yet to go -- we do not think about everyone equally. Remember from quantum physics and “What The Bleep Do We Know?” that thought creates reality? It is no longer politically acceptable or even legal to practice prejudice. But that doesn't mean it still isn't happening behind our masks. It happens frequently at a more subtle level that is indiscernible to many people. Combine this with the second factor, the sensitivity of the victims, their families, and their ancestors who have been harmed physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, monetarily, vocationally, environmentally, etc., and we have a potential volcano ready to erupt at any given moment.
Why should any oppressed group of people trust their oppressors? It's not like racism has stopped. Sure it has improved. But we have a long way to go. I look at it like I do all dysfunctional systems. One of the problems with racism is that it has gone underground. In other words, it is more covert than overt now. And believe me the oppressed are just as much tuned in to the energy of the covert as the overt! It doesn't matter if you are African American, Latino, Asian, Native American, gay or lesbian, female, Jewish, etc. Any group of people who have been harmed and oppressed do not forget, nor should they! Especially when bigotry is still alive and kicking.
So I ask that all of us be sensitive to all our brothers and sisters. Think before you speak. Change the way you think. Talk about difficult issues with one another. Have a dialogue about racism. The white population as a whole has a long way to go in understanding racism and taking responsibility for their part in its continued practice. At the same time there may be instances when racism is not being practiced but misunderstandings occur and a heated discussion flares up anyway. Show some compassion! Be courageous and go deeper. It won't be easy, but it may be rewarding. Rewarding because talking about and acting on tough and sensitive issues promotes intimacy in relationships. Have a dialogue about all the ism's, sexism, elitism, patriotism, etc. All promote separateness and alienation. All promote segregation and prejudice.
In closing I would like to mention again my ee team experience. Go to my professional message on the front page of my newsletter to read more. The most meaningful issues to confront are the most difficult. Whether there personal issues of abuse, dysfunction, shame, guilt, fear, loneliness, anger, sadness, disappointment, or our collective history of racism, and being the oppressed and/or oppressor. The ee workshop is a confidential and safe place to address and take action on all the potentially confrontational, conflicting, painful, and difficult issues. I am a better person because of my experience! I understand more about oppressed peoples as a result of the workshop! And equally important, I understand more about who I am. And that allows me to be more present, compassionate, and intimate with others. What a gift I gave myself! Think about giving the ee gift to yourself. You deserve it!
Personal Growth Alternatives Newsletter August 2005
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