Invisible
Many readers of this blog will remember that early every morning I write down and share a spiritual goal. One of my most repeated goal has to do with the art of listening. My goal this morning is to listen with an open mind and heart. When I am doing this my mind is not constantly busy formulating a response to those whose opinion is very different than mine. I am attempting to hear both what is said and what is not said. On the surface this sounds like a pretty simple task. It frees me from having to attempt to “prove” why I am right and they are wrong. Often, in my blog, I share an opinion of some event, process or event. Recently I have been sharing my opinion or perspective of the difference I perceive between the systemic violence based on race or other social constructs and the violence of those who have given up being heard when they are peaceful. I have attempted to make it clear that I am not suggesting that any violence is good, desirable or even moral. I am suggesting that the violence based on race is often deliberate and based on a belief in the superiority of some humans while the violence in reaction to a long history of racism is a symptom of the frustration of not being heard. Neither Is likely to lead to a more just and peaceful society although I believe if we listen carefully we have an opportunity to focus on changing the violence based on race and other social constructs which will stop the later. (Sadly I am not talking about stopping all violence in our society just that based on and in reaction to racism and other social constructs.)
When this country was formed many groups of people were not included in those who were guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (The unalienable right which the Declaration of Independence says have been given to all humans.). Humans included white land owners. Women, slaves/black people, people of color, non-heterosexuals, non-Christians, and white men who did not own land were invisible as humans. Sadly, many of those who are considered members of these groups continue to be invisible . The paradox is that many of those who continue to base their worth of being better than or more deserving than are those who also feel invisible – not heard, appreciated or valued.
If I am to be a “part of the solution and not just a part of the problem” I must open my mind and my heart to the pain of those who are often labeled as the oppressors and to those who are labeled as the oppressed. If I can resist the temptation to be defensive and deeply listen I will respond to the pain of both rather than hearing only the symptoms and responding in the same way I am accusing others of responding,
If we are to claim the peace of living as humans with unalienable rights then all of us must be able to claim the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We must learn to listen with open hearts and minds to the shared pain and aspirations. We must resist the temporary “fix” of making the one who disagrees with us invisible. Claiming our right to be visible by making some other person or group invisible will not work. All humans must mean all humans.
Written June 4, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Many readers of this blog will remember that early every morning I write down and share a spiritual goal. One of my most repeated goal has to do with the art of listening. My goal this morning is to listen with an open mind and heart. When I am doing this my mind is not constantly busy formulating a response to those whose opinion is very different than mine. I am attempting to hear both what is said and what is not said. On the surface this sounds like a pretty simple task. It frees me from having to attempt to “prove” why I am right and they are wrong. Often, in my blog, I share an opinion of some event, process or event. Recently I have been sharing my opinion or perspective of the difference I perceive between the systemic violence based on race or other social constructs and the violence of those who have given up being heard when they are peaceful. I have attempted to make it clear that I am not suggesting that any violence is good, desirable or even moral. I am suggesting that the violence based on race is often deliberate and based on a belief in the superiority of some humans while the violence in reaction to a long history of racism is a symptom of the frustration of not being heard. Neither Is likely to lead to a more just and peaceful society although I believe if we listen carefully we have an opportunity to focus on changing the violence based on race and other social constructs which will stop the later. (Sadly I am not talking about stopping all violence in our society just that based on and in reaction to racism and other social constructs.)
When this country was formed many groups of people were not included in those who were guaranteed the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. (The unalienable right which the Declaration of Independence says have been given to all humans.). Humans included white land owners. Women, slaves/black people, people of color, non-heterosexuals, non-Christians, and white men who did not own land were invisible as humans. Sadly, many of those who are considered members of these groups continue to be invisible . The paradox is that many of those who continue to base their worth of being better than or more deserving than are those who also feel invisible – not heard, appreciated or valued.
If I am to be a “part of the solution and not just a part of the problem” I must open my mind and my heart to the pain of those who are often labeled as the oppressors and to those who are labeled as the oppressed. If I can resist the temptation to be defensive and deeply listen I will respond to the pain of both rather than hearing only the symptoms and responding in the same way I am accusing others of responding,
If we are to claim the peace of living as humans with unalienable rights then all of us must be able to claim the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We must learn to listen with open hearts and minds to the shared pain and aspirations. We must resist the temporary “fix” of making the one who disagrees with us invisible. Claiming our right to be visible by making some other person or group invisible will not work. All humans must mean all humans.
Written June 4, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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