* Letter No.9 * September 2018 *
liberty and justice for all
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Howdy September and cooler weather! What's up people?
So, I'm circling back once again to my belief that healing our planet depends on healing our relationships to ourselves, and our relationships to each other. If you saw the last Earthling Newsletter you might know I've been learning + unlearning a lot this summer about "America", racism, whiteness, and all that ... stuff. Well the process continues as I expect it will for the rest of my life. Lots of work to do! Gratefully I am gathering more tools to do the work thanks to some powerfully kind human beings that are leading the way. Last month I was able to participate in a retreat at Shambhala Mountain Center called Radical Dharma, led by Rev. angel Kyodo williams and Lama Rod Owens -- on the themes of race, justice, and liberation.
Throughout the weekend Rev. angel and Lama Rod led our group through various discussions and practices geared towards dismantling the system/sickness of White Supremacy* (aka an ideology of domination & hierarchy) that this country was built with, and examine all the ways it plays out in our society and in ourselves.
We were encouraged to screw up, to stop trying to be perfect, to say and feel the things that are uncomfortable, messy, confusing, painful. As someone who has learned to strive for "perfection" and being a "good person" ~ whatever that means ~ it was a challenge and also a massive relief to be in a space where failing was encouraged & expected. Because conversations about the realities of race and white supremacy in this country are UNCOMFORTABLE and heartbreaking and there is no way of getting around that other than through.
I could write a lot about what I learned in this retreat and am happy to talk about it with anyone interested, but the main thing that Rev. angel & Lama Rod kept directing us back to was "DIS-ARMING OURSELVES FIRST". Before trying to change someone else's mind and telling them how wrong they are, Start With Yourself. Be gentle with yourself, because none of us chose to be in this system -- but fierce with yourself in realizing that we have a choice to be complicit in it, or actively disrupt it. Disrupt it, interrogate it, and reclaim our agency and liberation in the process. Because "the fantasy we've been living in is wearing itself thin ... we have to prepare ourselves and be more attuned to our own truth and what feels authentic and real." <--(paraphrased Rev. angel wisdom)
So, lots to work with for me and a whole lot more where that came from. A life-long process of falling asleep (because my whiteness allows me to), waking up, falling asleep and being woken up again. But I will keep coming back. I believe that radical honesty with ourselves is the medicine we need, and with this medicine we can come home to each other & come home to ourselves. Interested to know what you think.
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"We can’t heal what we don’t acknowledge, but acknowledgment can be painful and takes work, so we need effective tools and safe spaces where all feel welcome." — Lama Rod Owens
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Learn more about Radical Dharma: radicaldharma.org/
*Attention white people, watch the video below!!
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Deconstructing White Privilege with Dr. Robin DiAngelo
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"We have to understand that racism is a system we're all a part of."
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My friend Emma on why you should read Radical Dharma:
"This book is an honest and incredibly wise exploration of white supremacy and it's affects, both personally and systemically! Anyone who feels ready to #getintheconversation about race, and really embody and feel the trauma we are holding as a nation so we can start the hard work of unpacking it, would be missing out if they have not picked up a copy of Radical Dharma (or checked out any conversation with Lama Rod or Rev. angel)!!"
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My mom Jenny on why White Fragility is an important read:
"This book challenged me to look at the critical part I play as a white progressive in our deeply racist culture.
Fortunately the author shares strategies to move us toward transformative conversations about race."
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*art stuff*
In other news . . . I've been working on some new art things that I'm really excited about! It feels so good to make studio time a priority in the past few weeks. Pictured above is a piece from a series I'm loosely calling "Where the Birds Live" ~ using discarded objects, 'trash', butterfly wings, dirt, feathers, and other interesting specimens I find while out walking. Thinking about the intersections of waste, capitalism, ecosystems, wildness, reverence, grief and hope. How we can reclaim our 'trash' and honor the materials available to us. How we can protect the wild instead of trying to profit from it. How we can transform a detached mystical attitude towards nature into a true, honest relationship with it.
***** More to come, stay tuned! *****
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Yart Sale! / September 15-16 / Fort Collins
I'm cleaning out the archives and will have some art for sale at the Downtown Artery's fall Yart Sale [like a Yard Sale but for art]!! Everything is under 100 bucks. You're invited to come support local artists and get yourself some magical creations :)
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See the Facebook event here for more info!
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GOOD NEWS TODAY ON PLANET EARTH:
1. Despite what may be happening in the good ol' oval office there are so many citizens, businesses, and political leaders working hard to protect our planet, maintain the promises of the Paris Climate Agreement, and make the switch to clean renewable power!
2. The Women's Chorus on the U.S. East Coast is connecting women experiencing homelessness & poverty with the healing power of music.
3. Starbucks and McDonalds are working together to create recyclable, compostable cups, leading the way for the fast food industry.
4. "Green Gyms" are gaining momentum, where people can generate clean, renewable power while they work out!!
5. New Zealand is banning plastic bags for good!
6. Colorado’s Public Utilities Commission approved Xcel Energy's Clean Energy Plan to increase renewables in the state.
7. A new program in India is helping survivors of child sex trafficking get justice for others like them ― by training them to be lawyers.
8. Thanks to the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and 100,000+ signatures across the state, the Colorado Rising "Safer Setbacks" Initiative 97 has made it onto the ballot for November! Colorado residents will have the opportunity to vote for increasing the distance between oil & gas operations and homes, schools, waterways and other vulnerable areas. Look for it on the ballot as Proposition 112.
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DIRECT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE:
1. RISE for Climate!
This Saturday, September 8th there will be thousands of rallies, marches, and direct action events all around the world to re-balance our climate and build a fossil-free human society!! People of Earth Unite! Learn more about it and find an event near you!
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That's all folks! Feel free to send me your thoughts and questions and recommendations. I'm happy to be on Earth with you.
love,
Rachel
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Earthling News! is a production of Church of Earth, an independent exploration of Earth & personal healing through art, community, and conversation. Brought to you by Rachel Zetah Becker since 2016.
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Missed a letter? See the Earthling News! archive here.
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