Sandi's Blog

Drawing a Line

 
I am awake, I am alive, and this morning … I am drawing a line.

Many wise teachers of mine have stated “If it’s comfortable, it isn’t reconciliation” and I agree.

In line with that, this morning I have decided that it is time to get a little uncomfortable with the topic of cheering. And by “cheering”, I mean encouraging words and “Way to go!” on the posts of the Indigenous daring to speak truth to power, daring to express and feel pride, daring to break the chains of oppression from the outside world and from within.

So, my two cents …

As Indigenous, marginalized, and racialized people, we have to learn to do this, to do it more. At the same time, we have to work on getting comfy with receiving praise. We have to move away from trashing people online (a form of violence), from gossiping (another form), away from the quiet giving-up or giving-in that is death to our spirits.

We have to get comfy with saying “Way to go!” even when success has come to another community member and not us. When one of our own has found their confidence or tasted success in whatever form, we must not attack or condemn. We must not whisper, “They think they are better than us now”. We must realize what they are is simply a better version of themselves, closer to the human Creator intended them to be, and maybe that’s Creator giving us a hint that we can do same.

But (and here’s the really uncomfy part for some) …

If you are white. If you are not a person of colour, stop cheering on our resistance, our resilience, our resurgence. Just please stop.

Imagine for a moment …

Prison guards (or the Correctional Centre admin staff) cheering on the prisoners because they have stopped attacking themselves and each other.

Imagine a skinny trainer, eating French fries, standing next to you at the gym, cheering you on as you do another bench press.

We do not need someone in a Ferrari cheering us on for buying a Kia!

Do you see my point? If you are truly an ally, then you have to put in the hard work too. Our resistance, our resurgence is incredibly hard work but saying “Way to go!” is easy. We need more from you.

So instead of typing “Way to go!”, dare to share the post and comment on how allies must work hard to bring down barriers so that the marginalized, racialized and Indigenous of this country don’t have to become great at jumping hurdles just to survive.

Dare to post that. Dare to upset your white friends. Dare to disrupt. THAT is how you help.

And while you are at it, instead of liking a post of ours, choose instead to post on your MP or MPP’s page, demanding that Indigenous people be granted the funds to ensure the same educational, health, and housing opportunities as any other person residing within Canadian borders.

In other words, help destroy what we are trying to overcome.

Will it be easy? Of course not. Probably will be something you have never done before. Kinda like us daring to speak up, or stand up, or allowing ourselves to feel and express pride. Remember, if it’s easy, it isn’t reconciliation. Change takes discomfort. We have to get comfy with being uncomfortable.

You fight in your community. We will fight in ours. Together, change will happen. Allies, yes. Cheerleaders, no.

So, there you have it, my two cents. Food for thought, honestly spoken and sent from my heart to yours. And now, I simply pray you can hear me.

Do not argue. Do not condemn. Ponder instead. And then maybe, just maybe, you will choose to take action, the kind we need, like a real ally would.
 

I love you!
HUGSSSSSSSS

Sandi
 

***This is an excerpt from Sandi’s most recent book, “I am Awake …”. available for purchase on her website or on Amazon.ca.***