A Note to our Sangha about the Rise of White Supremacy
By, Renkyo Heather Fehst, Executive Director
I want to share some recent words from Sarah Bellamy, the president of nearby Penumbra Theatre, in solidarity with our BIPOC siblings and female-identifying siblings in light of the increasing racism and sexism surrounding the presidential campaign. This is not about who you vote for, but a call to action about how we as a community can show up during this time. (Thank you to the sangha member who forwarded Sarah's newsletter to me).
BIPOC siblings, here is more info on support and community for you at Clouds. We also have an upcoming BIPOC-only plant walk.
All: our board Vice Chair and BIPOC Sangha facilitator, Felicia Sy, is leading yoga for all folks in the sangha on Thursday mornings (10:30 - 11:45am). Registration is closed, but you can show up with some dana in hand - suggested $10 per class, but no one is turned away for lack of funds.
Now, for Sarah's words:
To all of us Black and Brown folx who are swimming in the soup of this election season, let’s get our floatation devices ready, now. Resilience is needed to ride the rough waters ahead. The insidiousness of the racial rhetoric being slung out there is that at first it may not seem like it’s getting to you. But over time, it starts to wear on your spirit, on your psyche. This weathering shows up in our bodies and steals time and energy away from us. So protect yourselves, ramp up your resilience practices, and take care.
White allies, we need you to get involved, get active. We need you to be vigilant against the rising tide of hate speech that will target Vice President Kamala Harris, thereby endangering everyday Americans. Win or lose, Kamala Harris will be fine. But the little girls and boys who will have to grow up in the scarred landscape left after this election is over may not be...
None of us can afford to abide by hatred.
We cannot allow it to poison our air.
We must stand up, speak out, shut it down.
Every. Single. Time.
...
We must speak up and speak out now.
Words become actions.
Actions become reality.
Let our actions be brave and full of love. Let us model the world we want to live in by refusing to allow ignorance and hatred to take up precious space that could be filled with kindness, with hope, with empathy, and with a promise for a better tomorrow.
White bodied family: now might be a good time to look at the Clouds Statement on Non-Harming and consider ways you can ally, support, and be a force for good.
One way ALL of us can get involved in this important work is through our Clouds Isaiah group. Come join us for this event on September 21st to discuss our concerns about the rise of White Christian Nationalism in our country with Gov. Walz's administration.
Thank you for your presence, for your practice, and for all the ways you make Clouds a refuge and sanctuary in these wild and frightening times. Please know that Clouds is here for you, whether it's to sit, have a cup of tea, process, or connect. Also, as Myoshin has said in past talks: look up at the sky, take a breath, give yourself a moment to just be. The world is beautiful, too - and so are all of you.
Please take good care of your hearts.
Renkyo Heather Fehst is the Executive Director of Clouds in Water. She is an author, writing coach, and teacher of many things. Ren works with writers on integrating mindfulness into their writing practice, process, and life. In addition to her work as Executive Director at Clouds in Water, she is a Trained Mindfulness Facilitator through UCLA Mindfulness Awareness Research Center and holds a certificate in Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness. She is also the program director of Rebecca Dykes Writers in collaboration with the Highlights Foundation, where she works with writers who tell stories about trauma for young readers. In her Zen practice, creative work, and service, Ren believes in being a lighthouse for those who are awakening to the gift and challenges of being human on this particular planet, at this particular time. Find out more about Ren and her work at heatherdemetrios.com