I haven’t posted in a while, but I wanted to start the New Year with some helpful and encouraging thoughts. The Unity Process that I created takes a small diverse group through 9 sessions geared towards helping them to be able to develop relationships across all the divides in our society. I offer you music that matches those sessions.
Sessions 1-3 have participants looking inward on their socialization around race and other dividers. This helps participants realize their own biases and stereotypes, so they won’t be obstacles in building relationships. The music for these sessions – Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson – We first need to deal with ourselves and our stuff and then reach out to others.
Sessions 4-6 have participants learn how to engage in healthy conversations around race and other dividers. If we can’t have healthy conversations, then how can we build relationships? They also learn how to lead a small group in having healthy conversations. The music for these sessions – What’s Going On? by Marvin Gaye. and Where is the Love? by Black Eyed Peas. They are discovery songs like the sessions and talks about bringing love and understanding and love and peace.
Sessions 7-9 participants get to practice by leading the group in discussion on a topic of their choice. Participants learn that it takes all of us working together. The music for these sessions – We Are the World by USA for Africa – This song speaks to our connectedness but also to the state of some people’s lives, but collectively, we can make things better.
I have some bonus songs for you to listen to – One Love by Bob Marley, Lean on Me by Bill Withers, Black or White by Michael Jackson, and Imagine by John Lennon. I hope this encourages you to get together and feel all right. Lean on Me is my encouragement to reach out to me if you need someone to talk to, if you need resources, or anything else. I am here to help you imagine a new world and a new United States.
I hope you are inspired in this new year and beyond to take care of ‘the least of these’, as the Bible refers to those in need, and to help usher in love, peace, healing, and unity in every way that you can. The work may seem momentous but if we come together and collectively work toward love, peace, understanding, healing, and unity, it will be easier.
I recently attended the Othering and Belonging Conference that was held in Berlin, Germany. One of the panels informed on Gender Justice. During the audience questions, a young lady from Afghanistan asked why no one was helping the Afghan women. My heart immediately felt for these women who are so oppressed and restricted in their country.
I woke up the next night with the following thoughts:
I would first suggest for Afghan men to do a fresh reading of the Quran to determine how much of the treatment of women today actually matches with the Quran. I have not read the Quran, but I have read the Bible and I know that some things that have been set up as the Christian thing to do, does not line up with the Bible.
Next, consider if your young women and girls are leaving the country and culture, that all you will be left with are women too old to produce children. The question to ask is do you want to make changes so that women and girls will stay, and your country and culture will survive. If not, you will be responsible for the annihilation of your culture and people.
The choice is yours. People are starting and will continue to help Afghan women and girls. They will continue to leave unless things change.
Striving to increase workplace diversity is not an empty slogan — it is a good business decision. A 2015 McKinsey report on 366 public companies found that those in the top quartile for ethnic and racial diversity in management were 35% more likely to have financial returns above their industry mean, and those in the top quartile for gender diversity were 15% more likely to have returns above the industry mean.
In a global analysis of 2,400 companies conducted by Credit Suisse, organizations with at least one female board member yielded higher return on equity and higher net income growth than those that did not have any women on the board.
In recent years a body of research has revealed another, more nuanced benefit of workplace diversity: nonhomogenous teams are simply smarter. Working with people who are different from you may challenge your brain to overcome its stale ways of thinking and sharpen its performance. Let’s dig into why diverse teams are smarter.
You might wonder where I am going with this, so I’ll tell you.
If workplace diversity equals better products and increased company performance, then I suggest the same could be said for communities, cities, and yes, even countries. While the recent events from the Supreme Court seem to not model the concept of diversity = progress, I think it does show how flawed our society has become.
Are you seeing what I am seeing? If you are seeing the push on all the gains that have been accomplished for impoverished people and BIPOC/LGBTQ+ (B&L), then yes, you are. If you think that all of this will magically go away, then just look at US history. Many B&L advocated, protested, and even died for all these rights and privileges that are now being stripped away.
How far back are you willing to let this slide before you speak and do something to counteract this unhealthy wave? Will it be too late? Too late for what?
Too late for our nation to be a true democracy?
Too late to accomplish healing and unity for all?
Too late to avert another civil war?
I’m not trying to scare anyone but seeing all the things that we have witnessed over the past several years has me scared. I am scared for mine and other B&L families. An example:
There is a black dad and a white mom who have had several children. The mom does not understand all about the experiences of growing up as ‘the other’ in the US. Thus, she raises her children as she was raised. She is overprotective and lax in discipline. Her children will soon find out that while their mom is white, society sees them as black. They will be ridiculed, held to a harsher standard, and punished more severely. If involved in a fight, they will be expelled while the white student will be sent back to class. Their lax and protective upbringing will not have prepared them to stand up for themselves, to fight for justice and to stand proud.
Our nation’s future prosperity, vitality, and unity depend upon America becoming a truly healthy multiracial democracy — an aspiration that requires racial equity and diversity in higher education, housing, prison reform, and every system in our society. Despite the Supreme Court’s ruling, my foundation will not waver in my commitment to those making the nation’s high ideals a reality for all communities and all people.
If you have been a previous participant, you know we have had some great conversations. Now it is time to put into practice what we have learned. Beginning this fall, we will periodically go on outings as a group so that we can model for others what healthy diversity can look like.
Examples of outings (Some of these events will be followed by discussion.):
Eat at different restaurants in different parts of town.
Go to movie or theater.
Go to community events.
Go on a Dallas black tour.
Go on a Dallas regular history tour if there is one.
I would love to have you join us whenever you are available. Also, I would love your suggestions for events.
When there are no consequences with children for their bad deeds and decisions, they never learn. They will do worse or just keep repeating the same bad deeds and making the same bad decisions. The US has never had to be held accountable for its bad deeds and decisions in regards to slavery and Jim Crow. Yes, I am comparing our country to a child. In many ways, the US acts like a spoiled child that thinks they don’t have to play by the rules, they can bully those who don’t agree, or do what they want to get their way. It’s the same with the Police, but that’s another post all by itself.
To Hispanics, I say,
If the US had paid reparations for slavery and Jim Crow, they would have thought twice before separating your families at the border. They are repeating the same bad deeds.
To other oppressed groups and poor whites, I say,
If we don’t collectively help to unite all Americans and hold America accountable for previous and current misdeeds, there are any number of afflictions that will come your way as the upper echelons seek to narrow who is worthy. The manipulation of who is allowed to vote is just the beginning. Historically, voter suppression inhibited the black vote but also the voting of poor whites and all women. Through voter suppression they can pass the laws they want to and that benefits them.
To everyone, I say,
Let’s all do our part to make America a true Democracy, where all are united in the midst of our glorious diversity. Oh, how beautiful we will be when we come together and value the contributions of one another and each is allowed to thrive and grow. How marvelous it will be when all can use their gifts and talents to help make our country better and all children can realize their potential. It breaks my heart to see all this division, hate, judgment, and criticism.
If you’re not sure where to start, contact me. I’ll be glad to have a conversation with you to explore what it is you can do with your gifts and talents.
People fleeing Ukraine were told women and children first. What they really should have said was, ‘Caucasian women and children first.’ When African women and children boarded the trains that would take them to safety, soldiers removed them. Apparently, their lives were not valuable enough to be equated with ‘real’ Ukrainians. In a time of war, it seems amazing that we would still take the time to allow our prejudice, devaluing, and hate to impact who gets safe passage and who does not.
Some of the Africans were immigrants, some were students, and some were residents of Ukraine – but none have a way out of the country. As I was listening to this story, someone said, “Black people are always expected to care about and feel compassion for everyone else, but no one cares about or feels compassion for us. Yes, we would like to help the Ukrainians, the Afghans, Asians, LGBTQ, and everyone else. However, it gets harder and harder to even want to help others and feel compassion for them when they won’t help those who look like us.
There is always a group that is placed before us – women, LGBTQ, other BIPOC, etc. Sometimes this is okay depending upon the circumstances. However, it never becomes our turn. Please know that I am not saying that we shouldn’t help others. We should definitely fight for all who need help. We have been doing this but when we ask for others to fight for us – for our liberties and opportunities, to be treated as people who belong and are valued, to be treated with compassion and grace – it is always limited and done misguidedly.
Learn more about this crisis within the crisis of war.
Get involved with helping this new crisis for Ukraine.
Then, get involved with a social justice group to end racism and racist policies here in the United States. An internet search will reveal a plethora of organizations and options for getting involved. Visible Unity is always open to all and will encourage all. I implore you to get involved. It will change things and you.
I was cleaning out my room and ran across words I wrote (don’t know when). They are still pertinent today, with only minor modifications.
I’m here to say – God says enough! My people unite!
Look at the racial chaos in our world. God is calling us to love and heal his world. In America, the belief that whites are superior to all others is destroying our country. The new and developing chaos with Russia and Ukraine is also based on the erroneous belief that some people are superior to others.
We are all human beings and equal in that fact. Our skills and talents vary, just like our personalities and strength of character varies. These are meant to strengthen the society, not weaken it. When there is an atmosphere of diversity, unity and inclusion, the growth and productivity of society increases. Harvard did a study that proved this point about businesses, and I carry it out to the societal level. If we want America to be great, we need to embrace all Americans. If we want our global society to be great, we need to embrace all global citizens. We cannot afford to leave even one person behind. Our collective survival depends upon it.
Believers, do something every day towards racial reconciliation and peace building. Reach out to someone of a different culture. Do or try something new with someone new. So, I encourage you to reach out, engage others, be a voice, be an opportunity provider. I say, ‘opportunity provider,’ because sometimes we don’t need anyone to speak for us. We just need the opportunity, and we will speak for ourselves.
Once you have engaged others, share their stories (if they agree) with others so that all can begin to understand and know the daily lived experiences of others.
As always, contact Visible Unity for more questions, some answers, and lots of opportunities.
We are beginning to see the escalation of acts of rage and hate that began toward Black people. We have been telling you about the interconnectedness of all of humanity.
There were examples for us to see: Swine Flu, West Nile, Ebola, Covid 19.
It may begin in one place, with one group, but it will eventually spread. With our US violence, it began with the relaxing of gun laws. Actually, it began with genocide and slavery followed by hundreds of years of instilling hate and fear of black people and other minority groups. Then, came the relaxing of gun laws. With Trump, the escalation of the hate and rage were encouraged. First, police were getting away with killing black people. Then, ordinary white citizens were getting away with it. Police departments, who are supposed to serve and protect, have now become militarized and infused with people full of hate and rage towards black people. White racists have become emboldened to take the country back. We are beginning to see violence turned towards anyone who is seen as against them.
It is not too late to stop this escalation. But we have to act now.
We have to elect politicians who will pass the laws to fix a lot of this. For suggested laws and policies, you can go to any website that is promoting justice, diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion.
We must learn to show respect, and dignity to all of humanity. We must also embrace and value all of humanity.
As the holiday season approaches, take some time to reflect on this and what else you and yours can do.
Lord, everywhere around the world there is violence and chaos. Homes are disrupted. Lives are torn apart. Lord, help us to turn to the way of peace, to the way of you, O God. There are some already working. Let more become involved as fitting for themselves and their context. Help us to be the peace we want to usher into this world. Help us to model peace and a peaceful presence.
Hear us I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Action Steps
First, I would encourage everyone to read, “A Global Security System: An Alternative to War, 5th Edition” by World Beyond War.
Second, determine what role you can play in helping get to a world without war.
Third, study and learn more about the issue worldwide. There are some countries who don’t have a military and others who are doing great things to move their country toward peace.
A friend shared a news feed with me where people were rejecting reality-based curriculum being taught in schools.
Reality, Truth, Facts – It’s not always pretty but Truth is necessary for healing. Looking at the reality of our society, the truth, and facts – We are a structurally racist society that was founded on the principle of white supremacy.
As I scrolled down the post trying to get to the end of the comments, I gave up. A feed like that, where people go down a rabbit hole of positive and negative comments, is not productive. It is not even dialogue even though there is a back and forth.
My questions:
When did reality and truth become a bad thing?
When we had a president who consistently lied and incited hate and violence? Being confronted with this bad behavior for a president, there were not calls from every neighborhood and state for his removal from office.
When we saw him push his racist agenda forward and hope became embedded in his lies? The hope of fellow racists, insurrectionists, ‘patriots’ and other white supremacists to take their country back from all the BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) who have flooded this land; this land that does not belong to them anyway.
The bible that I read says, the truth shall set you free. I believe in this word of scripture; thus, I believe we are way past the time of telling the truth about OUR country. It is more imperative now as we balance precariously between the way of truth and all that is good for our country and the way of lies and a reversal of all the accomplishments made for justice and peace.
We need to teach not only our children but also the numerous adults who do not know of the atrocities, obstructions, and oppressions in US history. We need to expose them and receive healing as a nation. We also need to expose the myriad of ways from slavery and even into present day where the system has been and continues to be infused with racism and oppression toward BIPOC, especially Blacks.
We need to know these things so we can understand why there are calls for equity and justice in every aspect of society. In Joshua 24:15 it says, ‘Choose ye this day!’ Today, I choose peace and justice!
Talking with family and friends about racism is one of the hardest things to do if you are on opposite sides of the issue. There is a myriad of ways this can be done. Contact us at Visible Unity for more information or to participate in our programs to learn more.
Begin by sharing a personal experience of yourself or a friend of color
Ask them what they think about what you shared – Listen to their answer carefully and seek to understand their point of view (This isn’t the time for debate, even if they are in left field.)
That may be all you do the first time. You might have to do this a few times. If they would be able to handle it, you could also invite a person of color to come and share their experiences.
Then next time, ask their thoughts about something that is going on in your area (another shooting or killing, insurrection, etc.)
Respond with a question that seeks to point out issues they are not seeing or not informed about.
Do you realize that….
Did you know that…
How did you arrive at …
Just remember, we are all socialized on a racist platform. Plus, depending on one’s life experiences, their racist thinking may be entrenched. So, patience and grace are needed.
Note:
Be a Non-Anxious Presence.
Be open and honest. You still stumble and they will too.
Allow for questions.
Later on, add:
Talk about the taboo words, their original intent and current use today.
Pam Y. Fields 
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