Sunday Thoughts
Paused.
Image via Jelena Maria on Instagram.
It has been a loaded week. One of reflection and also empowerment. As the world paused and collectively came together to what I hope will be the beginnings of radical social and civic changes, I had moments of anger, heartbreak and also a feelings of hope for the future generations. They may live in a world where the system is geared so no human has superiority over another but I also know that there are some that aren’t ready for a change. This week has been a great one for dialogue but also a stark reality that some do not want things to change. But now we move forward so these are the views of a minority and we can raise awareness, educate and empower to mobilise action for change. In a way it is similar to my work as a dentist and nutritionist.
Today my thoughts were on the protest in London over the weekend. A lot has happened in the last five years and for most of them I was in London, from the results of Brexit, to the hung parliament of the general election, to protest of Trump’s visit, to the women’s march and the Anti and Pro Brexit protests. The last 1/2 a decade has seen so much unrest. Even as London was shutting down and I was preparing my leave to the country, my thoughts on the tube and walk back to my flat were ‘ wow, history is happening and I am in a privileged position with a front row seat here in London’s streets’. So now as history happening and I am not in London, I have a feeling of loss, wishing I was there on the streets, seeing history unfold. However, I’m this fight for equality is just the beginning of positive changes in these 20s just like the 1920s.
So as I pause and reflect, I’m thinking about what my contribution will be. My most immediate actions are calling those who make racist comments out ( and believe me there is plenty I hear towards both myself and others) but also have those difficult conversations on why people say or do the things they do which make them racist. It isn’t much but its a start because it will take each of us doing our part so we can pave a way for the next generation to be equal in rights and opportunity.
Here is this week’s culture list:
Read: The House of Glass by Hadley Freeman. On Photography by Susan Sontag. Why I am No Longer Talking to White People about Race via the Guardian. Anti-Racists materials via British Vogue.
Watched: On the Basis of Sex on Amazon Prime. IF Beale Street Could Talk on Amazon Prime. Ella Fitzgerald Just One of Those Things on BBC iPlayer.
Seen: The documentation of protests and riots across the globe.
Listened: The High Low. Stronger Minds Podcast- Crime and Nourishment series. About Race. 1619 podcast. Chaii Lab- Decolonise Your Mind.
Done: Raised awareness, conversed, donated and paused to bring on radical civic change.
Connected: Picnic in the park and a takeaway with reunited friends.
“Whites privilege doesn’t mean your life hasn’t been hard. It means your skin colour isn’t the one making it hard. ”