No One Lives Free Until We All Live Free

As you know if you have been reading this blog for a while, this space is all about inclusion and acceptance. It's about oneness and equality.  It's about love and freedom. 

Fat people, tall people, short people, small people. All genders, all nationalities and all colors. 

Oneness to me is not political, it's humanitarian. 

I debated writing this post because I don't want to get political, but I also realize that my silence helps no one and this is about way more than politics. Even getting to decide whether to address this or not shows my level of privilege as a white woman.  

It's also tempting to not say anything for fear of messing up, but not saying anything also has consequences. 

Silence is violence. 

We've had enough violence. 

This space is also about inner transformation, but there is an outer transformation that is finally happening too and it's long overdue. Old structures and paradigms are falling away  - with weight and with race.  We cannot keep going the way we were. 

While watching the recent events with George Floyd and Christian Cooper in the news, a few details stood out to me.

In addition to my dismay at the cruelty and stupidity of the white people involved, I was also struck by the fact that the two people in Central Park shared the same name and the two people in Minneapolis once worked in the same establishment. What a small world right? 

We are family and we are neighbors and we are co-workers. We don't have to be friends but we need to treat all humans with the same dignity and respect that we would treat our best friends. 

No one should have to live in fear of simply showing up as who they are which is true no matter what your color or size may be. 

Obviously, there are MUCH bigger issues to address than just being nice to each other, but those two little details were a reminder to me that we are all the same and yet for far too long we have not been treated the same. 

I was also reflecting on the fact that fatphobia has its roots in racism.  Did you know that?  I didn't know that until a few years ago either, and there is a lot I still don't know when it comes to race issues in our community. 

But just because I don't know everything, doesn't mean I can't learn and it doesn't mean I shouldn't do what I can to learn and help support the change that needs to happen. 

Yes - these conversations are hard and make people uncomfortable but isn't it true that hard things lead to much-needed growth and change? 

We of all people, here in this space trying to make peace with food and body, should know the benefit of hard work.

So let's do the hard things. 

Let's have the conversations that we need to have. Let's speak up when we hear how our neighbors are being oppressed. Let's find out what our blind spots are with regard to race and vow to eradicate them. 

Let's read books, watch movies, read blog posts, ask questions, show up and have difficult conversations. We may not always know what to say or do and we are bound to screw it up but that's ok. Doing nothing says you are ok with the status quo. Let's find out what else we can do. 

Donate. 

Make phone calls. 

Say a prayer. 

We all have a way that we can make a difference, big or small. 

Learn to understand your level of privilege and how to use it for the highest good. 

I am stunned by what happened to Mr. Floyd, although I am also so glad that it was captured on video. These atrocities have been happening for too long and it's time that perpetrators are prosecuted. 

We have a long long way to go - but as Confucius says, you move a mountain by starting one rock at a time. 

I may not always do a good job of being an ally but we can't change what we are not aware of - and we all need to be aware that the mistreatment or silencing of marginalized people has to change. 

If you are looking for resources and more information - here are some that I have explored or will be exploring:

Donate to the Gofundme for George Floyd's family
Donate to Black Lives Matter.
Read Fearing the Black Body - the Racial Origins of Fat Phobia.
Read White Fragility.
Read Your Body is Not An Apology.
Listen to this podcast on the racist roots of diet culture. 
Here is a blog with resources for talking about race with your kids. 
Don't understand the protests? Read this. 
Follow and work with Desiree Adaway to create equity in your workplace. 
Donate money or books to Nalgona Positivity Pride - an eating disorder organization supporting people of color and indigenous people. 
Watch this for a spiritual perspective.
Unsubscribe if it bothers you to talk about racial issues. 

No one lives free until we all live free.