A Network for Grateful Living stands as a community of conscience in solidarity with Black communities and others around the world in condemning the systemic racism and violence in the United States which has taken the lives of far too many of our human family, most recently in the horrific killing of George Floyd. This has gone on, unchecked, for far too long – it has to stop.
The ethics and teachings of grateful living allow no place for racism or any form of oppression. Our mission and values direct us toward robust inclusivity, shared belonging, and radical love. They catalyze self-responsibility and social engagement in the creation of a more just world.
Turning to these values, our organization commits to sober self-examination, to increasing the diversity of our team and board, to using our platform to promote racial equality, to amplifying the voices of people of color, and to ensuring that grateful living practices invite and include people of all identities, all colors, and all loves. We hold ourselves accountable to learn from this reckoning in order to more fully embody our mission and serve our vision of a peaceful, thriving and sustainable world – held as sacred by all, in service of all.
We pledge to report back to you on our work and our ongoing plan of action. Thank you for your presence and for participating in our community of practice. If you want to join us in engaging with and supporting anti-racist work, we invite you to explore this guide and this collection of resources (updated June, 2021).
If you have recommendations for additional anti-racist resources that are in alignment with our community values, please share below.
With humility, commitment, and gratitude –
(1/16/2022) Wow, I have looked at this issue since I was about 4 years of age….being adopted & being bi-ethnic (having brown skin) surrounded by family [core & extended] of caucasian/white people has been very challenging. Seeing my family members being treated differently [at various times] than I was or spoken to differently than I was, depending on another person’s outlook, attitude…..never felt good.
Of course I do NOT agree with treating a person negatively or abusively due to their ethnic background/skin color…..whatever color a person is!! Plus, I definitely do NOT agree with those in positions of power abusing that position and oppressing others!!
It saddens my heart that some people choose to be like that. It saddens my heart that I have been affected by the ‘cancer’ of these oppressive/harsh attitudes, whether it was in my family or out in the world.
That said…..In my early 30’s, I stopped and thought about the word, ‘race’ or term, different races. Deciding not to let the world tell me [anymore] who I am OR that I had to choose just one heritage to identify with…..I wondered—->”Why do we say different ‘races’? Aren’t we all p e o p l e with different ethnicities and different cultures when we come from different countries?…..And- if we are from the same country, it may change by regions, or cities or…..even people in families can be very different. But, in the end- aren’t we still all just p e o p l e with different ways of expressing ourselves, all just wanting to live & do our thing?”
I stopped to think about that in the early 1990’s…..I still wonder why we use the word ‘race’ or term ‘different races’ ?????.
It just seems to me, it helps keep separation going when we see our ‘races’ as different.
I understand what is being said about ‘racism’ and any oppressive ways in the above piece and I do hear the alliance with black people/people of color or any oppressed people.
I just wish in 2022, we all would be called p e o p l e and if our heritage/ancestory, where we come from = our roots have to be discussed (for whatever reason), that would be the question asked, “What is your ethnic heritage?”. But also, wouldn’t it be great if applications did not have to ask what our ethnic backgrounds are & what was most important in this world was how we treated each other from our hearts & souls?
I add
Rather than letting insecurities & fears with power and control issues cause harm mentally/emotionally or physically…..my hope is for forward motion growth in this world.
It can be hard to get out of one’s own way or leave comfort zones. All I know, when I ‘brave up” and come from my heart & soul in an uncomfortable situation, open to something different- not necessarily having to do something myself, just be open to another’s opinion, or ways {acceptance} then there’s growth and I feel my life expands.
Peace
THANK YOU GRATEFULNESS TEAM, IT BEEN TO LONG TIME TO LET GOD HEAL US ALL IN UNITY OF LOVE..
Dear gratefulness Team,
I appreciate your clarity, your modelling a way of taking a stance and you offer ressources, which nurters what I personally and the world needs: NOW
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In my short time in this holy website I have come to see participants as sojourners. We all bring wounds to be healed and hope to be shared. May I suggest that if we intend to address racism, its roots and effects, we in fact do our “homework” as we prepare to dive into the turbid waters of this topic. One book that has immensely helped me to begin to understand the plight of our society in dealing with the evil of racism is “My Grandmother’s Hands” by Resmaa Menakem. Peace to all.
Dear Manuel, thanks for the hint with the book. … going deep.
Sieger des Friedens.
Thank-you for this. Your words and intention align with and edify my heart and spirt this morning as I visit this space for my daily dose of inspiration.
Dear Gratefulness team,
Thank you so much for this letter. I look forward to hearing more about your ongoing plan of action, and to helping however I can.
As a white person, sometimes I am afraid to speak for fear of saying the wrong thing. Here are some of the things I am learning about how to be an ally. I hope I’m on the right track.
Silence and non-action is complicity. Do not stay silent for fear of saying the wrong thing. Better to speak up, and be willing to listen and learn when I inevitably will say the wrong thing.
Do my homework. Read. Don’t expect my black friends to teach me everything about the history of oppression and systemic racism in America.
Be willing to dig deep and examine my own implicit biases.
Be quiet and LISTEN. This is not about me. Be willing to sit in my discomfort. I don’t always have to have something to say.
Recognize my privilege and use it to bring about meaningful dialogue and social change.
Put my money where my mouth is. Research and donate to organizations doing racial justice work.
Show up.
Take my rage and discomfort to the ballot box and work toward system change at the local level.
Thank you to the team at A Network for Grateful Living for your willingness to do this work, and for all you are already doing to share the light of Grateful Living as a tool to connect us and to make our world a better place for all.
Peace into your day,
Betsy
Dear Betsy, thanks for your range of actions “… doing my homework..(stillness….) AND the needed change on local and global levels…..” all sort of tonal actions to manifest. Seeing mySELF also as a protoctor and expansiv supporter of (all) life forces….
All blessings of the Universe in every cell
Sieger des Friedens
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