Black history lesson.

Deborah A

19d • General discussion

Want to know my biggest pain about Black history month?

I don’t know that we’re really getting the most important lesson Black history taught us:

The game is rigged.

Don’t try to win in it, get out and create your own game.

One that is genuinely ‘profitable’ in that it promotes the well being of all life on Earth.

One that is life-affirming.

THAT is the most important lesson Black history taught us.

And yet, when I boldly shared alternatives to the rigged game, some responses I receive:

“I know I live in a capitalistic country, and I'm getting a piece of the pie.”

“Poor can't help poor. Let's just be real.”

“I'm not a feely, kumbaya-let's-come-together type of person.”

“I need some money, and then I can do those other things for the collective good.”

Now, I’m going to do my best to address this with care, because these voices are also my voices.

There is no voice outside of me that I haven’t also heard within.

I am familiar with these voices. I see them as old acquaintances.

Most people would agree with them.

I will never say that they express an invalid perspective.

I will say that these perspectives, while valid and understandable, are missing the lesson.

They speak from inside of the story that is collapsing.

Global village campus exists to help purpose-driven leaders find their footing in the space between stories. When they do, they expand options for everyone. That is what Black history teaches us.

As global villagers, we acknowledge what is, while never allowing what is to determine how we show up or where we focus our attention.

We don’t look for ways to “get a piece of the pie” in a dying story.

We don’t sit in the illusion that more money is what we need to be of greatest service.

We get the lesson Black history is teaching us. We are writing the rules of our own game.

Rules that are equitable and life-sustaining.

Rules that our descendants will thank us for.

Rules that recognize more than one form of capital: social, experiential, intellectual, cultural, material and most important: living and spiritual capital.

If you see yourself in this world of deeply learned history lessons, know that you are not alone.

In gratitude,

Deborah.

0 comments