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June 2020

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From:
"Diop, Corinne Joan Martin - diopcj" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
tree of knowledge system discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 23 Jun 2020 16:47:09 +0000
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How about this?

Transformation in the hearts and minds of individuals-- that leads to a society that is equitable and empowering for all-- is where our revolution lies


________________________________________
From: tree of knowledge system discussion [[log in to unmask]] on behalf of Ari Delashmutt [[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 12:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Many thanks

Can I chime in here? I feel that Cole and I are sharing some thread here, and I want to speak to it. There is a part of the rhetoric in the movement that I have been resistant to, and I ultimately reject. I'll try to explain myself, but gimme a break here as I wade into unpopular territory.

We should all sympathize with the plights at hand. We should all have a metanoic response, repent for the ways we've played into these systems, look to educate ourselves and grow into a new level of personhood that considers more experiences - especially marginalized ones. I argue that this is absolutely necessary. Transformation in the hearts and minds of individuals is where our revolution lies This is a point that seems to be lost when we encounter some of the rhetoric like "it's not about you" and "white silence is violence" or "White supremacy is a white issue". To give it a voice, it sounds like "It's my problem and I need to learn and grow and transform. But it's not about me. I need to shut up and listen. But I can't be silent because that's violent. Don't question the narrative. You should have already transformed."  This is merely my interpretation of the rhetoric and I don't claim to say this is the intended rhetoric of the movement. I have not seen what the rhetoric or calls to action is to the black community, and that is certainly a missing piece of the puzzle in me. I'll do some looking into that, and would love to get recommendations. I have experienced this movement from a bubble of whiteness, it seems.

I think what Cole and I are seeing/walking is a tightrope that people are bound to fall off of, into the mouths of the hungry, cancel culture sharks below. If the sharks eat all the 'racists', who is left to transform to create the movement?


My fear is that ultimately, we will feel so much of the guilt and pain associated with the evils in our world, our history, ourselves, and by giving unbalanced credence to it, that we will accept action from very low level emotions like guilt, shame, anger and rage. It seems to me that we can and should accept, validate and hold space for these expressions, but to allow them to be the motivating emotions for societal change seems insane to me. Schmactenberger said the other day "We can be enraged long enough to burn this house down, but we can't be enraged long enough to learn how to build it."

Yes, there is anger and rage and frustration. Yes these are valid emotions and should be held, but let's think like leaders here. What is the best way to make vast social change? What does that look like at the level of the individual and how can we support that transformation at that level? What are the rhetorical and interpersonal tools that we ought to use here?

Yesterday, Rhea and Gregg shared a perfect example of how an embodied interaction can create the space needed for expression and change. Embodiment seems to be the real revolution, embodiment is where the transformation is, it is where the work can take place, it is where the world changes. Which then bears the question of, are we properly encouraging the embodiment of the transformation?

I don't write this knowing, I write this wondering.

Thanks for reading, and thanks to the women who presented yesterday. I'm so glad I got to hear you guys and be in dialogue together.
Ari (Air-ee)

On Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 8:45 AM Cole Butler <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Hi Corinne,

I really appreciate your reflections and you taking the time to respond. I posted it on my personal social media platforms (FB and instagram). Several individuals in my life reached out to me directly to ask for my thoughts on current events. I have been told that people have formulated an expectation that I'm the type of person who might speak out about these injustices, and that people are looking to me to share my thoughts. I've been unsure if I am the right person to address these things, but I wanted to be respectful of others' request for my thoughts. Indeed, I would probably not bring this up otherwise. My previous silence was taken as complicity, and thus I am now trying to educate myself and see if there are useful and productive responses and words that I can formulate that would serve as helpful.

I would say that it is difficult for me to understand everything that is going on right now, and I have appreciated the ability to be an active listener. Indeed, I agree that the anger and frustration is justified and warranted. I am not the one to tell people otherwise. I suppose the difficulty for me is in that I hope that people would be more loving, kind, and open to fostering healthy discussion. I feel that this would channel that frustration toward actionable change, and thus a better society.

I hope that I can take the personal responsibility to learn and educate myself. I guess it's just hard to understand what I really can do. People want me to speak out, but my understanding of the situation is relatively null as I begin to acquaint myself with it. How can I reasonably speak without understanding the problem? This is what is difficult for me. I hope that I can continue to learn, and information such as your email and the Zoom call were extremely helpful in that end.

Many thanks,

Cole Butler
TPAC Project Coordinator
University of Maryland
UMD ADHD Lab<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.umdadhd.org_cole&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=pwReGAmYw0T8vho2x2Qdhh1l0VRB32BD9bUGEI1Aapo&s=-Hkth0LSRuEs1iiUB4BjKYFzEc4f1RX7NPmGkIuYVyE&e=>
2103W, Cole Field House | College Park, MD 20742
tel 301.405.6163


On Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 10:31 AM Diop, Corinne Joan Martin - diopcj <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>> wrote:
Hi Cole,

I am just wondering, who will be reading your post that you are addressing this to and why do you feel the need to post it?

It's not that I don't agree with you in the long run, I am just wondering what point it serves for you to announce this now. Your pleas for a compassionate and non-divisive system might be a bit too ironic? Maybe right now it's time for people to be collectively angry and to expose the racism that has been accepted as normal, to expose the individual and collective shadows, and so it is not time to tell people who are finally finding their voice how they should treat others, even if some of it is painful to others or even misguided and destructive. Maybe they have earned the right to be angry and the love and compassion needs to be for them, not from them.

It would be incredibly moving if you were to state this in first person in a way that shows how vulnerable you feel, something like what you said in the zoom yesterday-- I am trying to change and understand what is going on right now and the labels and divisiveness really paralyze me. I want to learn and help, but feel like I am treated like the enemy. What can I do?

Black people who have been unwillingly suppressed and rightfully enraged for a long time are finally being heard and supported by others who are validating what they already knew. Nothing changed, and maybe (only maybe) now it will.

I sincerely hope a strong, nonviolent leader (or several) will emerge for this movement, and then the journey you're asking for can begin.

Does this make sense?

FYI, I have no background in psychology or counseling. I am white but have seem the pain of my Black husband and mixed (so Black) son and have been appalled. I have often thought about how much easier my life would have been if I had married someone white (it is all about me, right?) Our life together is a constant negotiation that is hard to explain-- and my response to you comes out of what I know from that.

In love and hope,

Corinne




Corinne Diop
(she/her/hers)
Professor of Art
Graduate Director/ Art Studio
Associate Director
School of Art, Design, and Art History
MSC 7101/ 820 S. Main St
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA  22807
[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
(540) 568-6485
*************
JMU Safe Zone Member
http://www.jmu.edu/safezone


________________________________________
From: tree of knowledge system discussion [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>] on behalf of Cole Butler [[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>]
Sent: Tuesday, June 23, 2020 10:39 AM
To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Many thanks

Hi all,

I will echo Gregg's gratitude and sentiments here. I found this discussion particularly meaningful and helpful during these difficult times. The resources and actionable suggestions were great, and I hope to see more of that approach in how people tackle this. Additionally, the real narratives from our discussants and others provided a real human element and personal insight on this topic that I think it's hard for people to see without listening to stories such as those. The discussion prompted me to post on my social media, and I will share these words with you all.

"Just coming out of a Zoom panel discussion, and wanted to share some reflections I found important.
In asking people to make change, please offer compassion to your fellow human being. It may be useful to consider what you want to draw out of the other person, and recognize their own experience. Consider that the person that you'd like to change may want that same change, but that they're in a radically different place in terms of their understanding of the issue. Not everyone is going to align with and accept the viewpoint that you'd like them to share, and especially not immediately.
Please consider offering others love and understanding. Do not alienate your fellow human with jabs, attacks, and/or hurtful labels. This does not serve either of your ends. Provide them space to grow, learn, and understand. You may hurt and alienate them, rather than having them support your cause. Create allies, not foes. Participate in unity, not divisiveness."

Best,

Cole Butler
TPAC Project Coordinator
University of Maryland
UMD ADHD Lab<https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.umdadhd.org_cole&d=DwMFaQ&c=eLbWYnpnzycBCgmb7vCI4uqNEB9RSjOdn_5nBEmmeq0&r=HPo1IXYDhKClogP-UOpybo6Cfxxz-jIYBgjO2gOz4-A&m=oiIc3DtUELTGP0i641APfB4F6NWZC5vHcJQ8zzRU3dM&s=6uR0E-JMCkx0X2DMN2yCZTHn7u075kABf5QCzI-NjPk&e=>
2103W, Cole Field House | College Park, MD 20742
tel 301.405.6163


On Tue, Jun 23, 2020 at 9:27 AM Henriques, Gregg - henriqgx <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]><mailto:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>> wrote:
Hi TOK-Thrive Community.

I just wanted to say thanks to everyone for yesterday’s discussion on fostering reflection about recent events. I found it meaningful and healthy.

I want to say special thanks to Paulihna, Rhea, and Shelly-Ann for putting it together and leading the discussion.

If there are materials you all are willing to share, please send to the list.

Best,
Gregg
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