The fear of us
Fear may be the base emotion which is evidenced in most, if not all, oppressive beliefs and behavior. February is celebrated as Black History month in the United States and presents an opportunity to correct the lies of omission and commission about race which most of us learned as children. I cannot, for example, recall one mention by adults responsible for my education of racism, sexism or other examples of oppression and discrimination. There was one Native American aunt by marriage who proudly shared the role of her family in the underground railroad. I was aware that we had other Native American relatives and that we were rumored to have some Native American blood history. I do not recall learning any of the contributions of non-Caucasians nor any of cruel behavior towards Native Americans, African Americans, women or others. Even though my Grandmother Pickett and her sisters were educated women I do not recall any education about the history of sexism. Church leaders were, in the world I occupied, equally silent or they invoked God’s design as an excuse for oppressive behavior
None of these or related topics were addressed at the United States Naval Academy. The fact that all the servers were Pilipino and most of Midshipmen (This was prior to the admittance of females.) were Caucasian also was not explained. Not even the rare non-Caucasian discussed the disparity or if they did it was not within my hearing.
Later I would be exposed to some of the historical lies of omission and commission. Today, in 2019 I am still learning some of what we need to be teaching our children and ourselves. For example, we need to be teaching the root causes of oppression. We need to address how we move from our need for interdependence and cooperation to fear that we need to prove our worth as humans by positing that we are better than, worth more than, smarter than, more powerful than, more sexually desirable than or more desirable because of a social construct such as racism, sexism, or other ism.
This morning I was reminded that Garrett Morgan who lived from 1877 to 1963 invented a breathing machine (early gas mask), an improved sewing machine and an improved traffic signal. I also learned that many Caucasians would not use the breathing machine because its inventor was an African American.
How would one justify ones’ fear of using a life saving device because of the color of the pigment of the inventor? Does some part of us always intuitively understand systems? Do we know that if one piece of the system is not reliable the entire system falls apart? If, in fact, African Americans are not less intelligent what other lies has one learned? If we have learned lies about “them” who are we?
That then is the existential, core question we must address. If all the social constructs such as race, gender, age, and sexual identity are merely lies who are we? If all humans are equally worthwhile; equally deserving of grace, equally deserving of respect who are each of us? What gives us worth, respect or makes us deserving of love? If we are all essential, but tiny parts of a whole what gives this life journey meaning? Is it really enough to be our best selves just for today? Do we need to be fearful that without the push to be more than we would do nothing? What if we are at our most loving, creative and industrious when we know we are enough? What if we are without fear of the other which is us?
Written February 25, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
Fear may be the base emotion which is evidenced in most, if not all, oppressive beliefs and behavior. February is celebrated as Black History month in the United States and presents an opportunity to correct the lies of omission and commission about race which most of us learned as children. I cannot, for example, recall one mention by adults responsible for my education of racism, sexism or other examples of oppression and discrimination. There was one Native American aunt by marriage who proudly shared the role of her family in the underground railroad. I was aware that we had other Native American relatives and that we were rumored to have some Native American blood history. I do not recall learning any of the contributions of non-Caucasians nor any of cruel behavior towards Native Americans, African Americans, women or others. Even though my Grandmother Pickett and her sisters were educated women I do not recall any education about the history of sexism. Church leaders were, in the world I occupied, equally silent or they invoked God’s design as an excuse for oppressive behavior
None of these or related topics were addressed at the United States Naval Academy. The fact that all the servers were Pilipino and most of Midshipmen (This was prior to the admittance of females.) were Caucasian also was not explained. Not even the rare non-Caucasian discussed the disparity or if they did it was not within my hearing.
Later I would be exposed to some of the historical lies of omission and commission. Today, in 2019 I am still learning some of what we need to be teaching our children and ourselves. For example, we need to be teaching the root causes of oppression. We need to address how we move from our need for interdependence and cooperation to fear that we need to prove our worth as humans by positing that we are better than, worth more than, smarter than, more powerful than, more sexually desirable than or more desirable because of a social construct such as racism, sexism, or other ism.
This morning I was reminded that Garrett Morgan who lived from 1877 to 1963 invented a breathing machine (early gas mask), an improved sewing machine and an improved traffic signal. I also learned that many Caucasians would not use the breathing machine because its inventor was an African American.
How would one justify ones’ fear of using a life saving device because of the color of the pigment of the inventor? Does some part of us always intuitively understand systems? Do we know that if one piece of the system is not reliable the entire system falls apart? If, in fact, African Americans are not less intelligent what other lies has one learned? If we have learned lies about “them” who are we?
That then is the existential, core question we must address. If all the social constructs such as race, gender, age, and sexual identity are merely lies who are we? If all humans are equally worthwhile; equally deserving of grace, equally deserving of respect who are each of us? What gives us worth, respect or makes us deserving of love? If we are all essential, but tiny parts of a whole what gives this life journey meaning? Is it really enough to be our best selves just for today? Do we need to be fearful that without the push to be more than we would do nothing? What if we are at our most loving, creative and industrious when we know we are enough? What if we are without fear of the other which is us?
Written February 25, 2019
Jimmy F Pickett
Coachpickett.org
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