What's My Lane?

A Letter to My Community 

Can Chamomile cure racism? Of course not. Can exercise support people who live in fear of their very existence being taken for a crime and a reason to be murdered? Obviously not.

So what’s an herbalist and exercise person doing wading into this? Shouldn’t I stay in my lane?

Well, here’s another question for you- if humanity isn’t ALL our lanes, what are we even doing on this planet?

This morning Kris and Tammi of Heartstone Center read these words: “To feel keenly is our necessary privilege.” (from The Book of Awakening. Watch their IGTV.) Feeling uncomfortable is necessary. Doing this dismantling work is necessary. Saying "I don't want to, it has nothing to do with me" is toxic privilege.

Learn. Talk. Write. Post. Donate. Read. Share. Help.

Don’t know where to start? Get educated. Put some effort into other humans. Open your heart, and examine what’s really in there.

Things to watch out for:

👉Just because someone has a social media account that calls out and educates on racism isn’t a reason for you to hop on the comments and ask for personal recommendations. I guarantee that’s already been covered, so do a little scrolling. Or better yet, check their links to see how you can PAY them to teach you.

👉Buy books from your local bookstore, or someone else’s local bookstore if you don’t have one. Redistribute your money into communities.

👉“Not being racist” isn’t enough. Active anti-racism is needed. The only people who can change this world are the ones who made it this way.

👉But you’re only here for your business? @marciegoldman put it SO. WELL. “You’re not a Wellness Advocate if you’re defending white supremacy.” Get on board with humanity.

​👉Thinking “But I’ve faced difficulties too” doesn’t excuse you. Others are also living those same challenges- financial, emotional, health, pain, grief, loss, all of them- PLUS fearing for their lives because their very existence makes them a target. Your life and experiences are valid, but they aren’t as hard as they could be

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Go ahead and drink your Chamomile to calm nerves, then sign the petitions call the phone numbers and buy the resources and have the conversations. Learn how to find and keep a neutral pelvis, so there’s more comfort walking in protests and running errands to help someone who needs it and carrying the weight of our collective involvement. We have to care for ourselves, and each other, while we work hard to heal this. It's not going away on its own.
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I'm not an expert here. I'm learning and coming to terms with my involvement too. But I'll link to as many of those resources as I can, and I ask you to add yours too. This state of the world is upsetting, it should upset everyone. Silence is complicity.
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On Instagram:
​@theconsciouskid
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@rachel.cargle
@thegreatunlearn
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@eji_org

On Facebook:
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Online:
https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/
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https://www.northstarhealthcollective.org/