A Lesson
Radical Empathy
It is sometimes easy to get caught in telling yourself, “I’m not sure what to say,” and “I don’t know what to do.” I am guilty of this too, we all do it. But what if I told you that deep down, perhaps coming to the surface, or still buried deep inside, you do know what to do?
We are each a thread in the larger fabric of humanity. We all have our unique gifts and it is imperative that we learn how to use these as individuals, now more than ever.
At our core there is endless love, compassion, and acceptance for all humans, animals, and plants living on this Earth. Judgment, bias, racism, even shame…are all learned. It is passed down through lifetimes of experiences within culture, religion, family, friends, environments, and continues to perpetuate in an infinite loop. It is stuck in our thinking, our actions, our businesses, and our systems.
I encourage you to open your eyes, truly SEE and LISTEN in order to INNER-STAND. Tune into your TRUTH, and you will find all the answers.
Take the time to nourish your mind, body, and soul, no matter what path you are on. Making space to sit with our discomfort, shadows, and patterns will allow us to think more clearly and take aligned ACTION to create a better world.
It is not a war between two sides, it is remembering our humanity. When something inside you says, “This isn’t right.” That is your clue. Keep coming back to this again, and again, until it’s made right.
I sat with my personal privilege, as a mixed-raced woman with light skin (creating its own complications in my mind), and asked myself, “What is your truth? What are you here to offer and teach? How can you use your gifts to give back to others?”
I was met with a resounding energy that whispered, “ART & HEALING—this is your magic.”
And so I took aligned action and designed this Radical Empathy tee shirt that gives back to The Loveland Foundation Therapy Fund. LF provides financial assistance and tools for Black and racially diverse communities, to receive comprehensive therapy and healing.
It is not enough to purely be empathetic—now is the time to take ACTION.
Action for a new world.
Action for equality.
Action for justice.
Action for peace.
Radical Empathy is a call to listen and understand the story of another human being, while holding ourselves accountable for how we may have contributed to someone’s pain, especially towards BIPOC. It is taking the time to understand how damaging it is to continue benefitting from systems of oppression. It is not erasing, rather, contemplating and sitting with it—learning from it.
Radical Empathy encourages us to do the inner work that guides us to our higher selves. It is important to have safe spaces to do so. The fact is, access to therapy treatment is not available to all, particularly affecting Black and racially diverse communities. The Loveland Foundation actively seeks to change this.
As I navigate my way into the holistic healing world, I am deeply committed to making sure that my work, as well as professional therapy, is available to all.
100% profit from these shirts will go directly to this initiative. We are about halfway to my original goal, but I’d love to push it even further!
If you are not financially able to contribute, please share with your network. Still not sure what to do? Below I’ve listed some actions that may (or may not) feel true for you.
Do the work.
Yes, it is uncomfortable. Yes, it is challenging. That is the point. Learning about Black history in America (and beyond) is an important foundation to understanding the constant fight against racism. Black Lives Matter is not just a new movement, it is a thread continued from colonization, slavery, segregation, and mass incarceration. It is layered and complex. Anti-racist work is a life-long commitment to keep unlearning/learning again and again.
Sit with the uncomfortable feelings and become curious. Why am I feeling this way? What are my personal and familial biases that were learned? How have I contributed to the perpetuating systems of oppression and white supremacy? How can I change?
Some thoughts on why this may be so uncomfortable to address as a white person: White Fragility.
Here is an ever-growing resource guide to help you get started: bit.ly/allyguideblm
Listen.
I can’t express how important this one is. You cannot begin to understand someone else’s story without truly LISTENING. In my certification training as a coach, listening is one of the absolute foundations to working with people. This skill is not reserved for coaches and therapists alone, it is a human skill we all should learn to develop! It will transform your thinking around so many areas of your life, including career, sex, love, and relationships.
Here’s a tip: don’t just listen with your ears and your mind—listen with your body, your feelings, your energy, and your SOUL.
Speak up.
I know, I know…not everyone is ready for this. To which I say, please, close your lips, and let other people do the talking. Revert back to the previous steps. Having uncomfortable conversations with family and friends is difficult. Our primal brains are terrified of being cast out of our circle. However, this is important, especially for white bodies with privilege. The more people who speak out, the louder we become as a collective, and the further our voices can be heard. Have constructive and informed conversations, not arguments with the agenda to convince anyone of anything (a key mindset).
I was met with a decision just today, to either keep my mouth shut, or speak my mind. I chose to speak my mind. Silence is part of the problem.
Take action.
The previous steps are a form of action, but this refers to really stepping up towards making change. One single person cannot make changes everywhere problems exist. It is simply not possible. This is where your individual privilege, gifts, and voice come into play. While I can’t tell you exactly what to do, here are some ideas:
Do your research on local and federal laws that are racist and causing harm to others, then contact your local and national representatives to urge for change. Also, vote those heartless MFs out!
Stand up for fair justice. If you see something, say something. Demand that murderers, racists, white supremacists, and anyone who is/has caused harm, be held accountable for their actions. Sign petitions and again, contact your representatives.
Donate to an organization that feels meaningful to you. Refer back to this guide, purchase this shirt, or do your research to find one (or more)! Consider making this an ongoing action.
Give back in other ways that don’t involve money. Perhaps volunteering time with a local organization. Spend some time creating art that can be purchased, donating the profits to an organization. There are a multitude of ways to give back, get creative!
Protest! Align with peaceful organizations that gather safely and mindfully.
Buy from Black-owned small businesses. The other day I was looking for some new self-care and rituals items that are made with natural ingredients. I thought, I bet there are tons of Black-owned businesses creating just that. So I did my research, shopped through Etsy, and discovered so many amazing people and businesses that are making conscious products and metaphysical tools. Here’s the shops I bought from:
Indulgence Spa
Lalu’s Roots n’ Conjure
Natural Sisters
The Healing Place
Last, but certainly not least…
Keep going.
This is not a one time deal and you’re done. Commit to showing up again and again to fight for justice, equality, and peace. And remember, you can’t do it all at once, and you can’t do it alone. This is personally something I have to keep telling myself. Take baby steps, slowly making it a lifestyle. Anti-racist work is a learned skill that keeps developing over time. Continue growing, learning, and taking accountability for mistakes along the way. I’m not perfect, no one’s perfect. Keep checking in with yourself. Humility will go a long way.
Please feel free to continue the conversation below or if you have any feedback for me, I’m all ears.
Love & gratitude,
Olivia
