Notes You May Have Missed Vol. 15

Published on the last Thursday of each month, Notes You May Have Missed features selected notes from the past and present.

These notes serve as an introduction for new readers of N.A.H. and as a recap for regular visitors.

3 Messages That Are Used to Shut Down People of Color When Talking About Race and 3 Reminders If You’re Tired of Them

“…claims of a lack of responsibility for what “other people did” be it in the past, present or future is probably one of the most common forms of resistance out there. I often see it being used as a way of silencing folks.

It can be a hard thing to swallow, but it’s also important to understand that even if a person who is white doesn’t agree with racism personally, even if they consider themselves to be “nice” and not like those “other people”, they still benefit from a system of racism.”


More Thoughts on Ubuntu

“The concept of Ubuntu can also be applied organizationally in realizing that each department, each member of a team is valuable and ultimately cannot function independently of one another, from the maintenance staff to the director. While this isn’t always played out in organizations, you can tell the differences in staff satisfaction and outcomes among organizations who do, and those who don’t approach their work with this mindset, regardless of if they actually use the term Ubuntu or not.”


Context

“One of the valuable gifts that dialogue can provide is context; the kind of context that can help us to question our perceptions, and to learn that others thinking can inform our own. We don’t all have to agree on opinions or ideology in order for dialogue to take place. What we do need to agree on however, is a commitment to learn from each other and communicate in caring ways.”


Is Saying “Everything Happens For A Reason” Helpful or Harmful? It Depends On Who You’re Talking To

“Not everyone believes that losing a parent, getting cancer, having a miscarriage, or some other tragedy is a part of some grand plan to build their character or something like that, and using personal growth and development, as a justification can be really hurtful if communicating with someone who doesn’t subscribe to that belief, and even someone who has in the past, but might not in that moment.”

Thank you for your readership and sharing.

Ubuntu,

From Aspiring Humanitarian, Relando Thompkins-Jones

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Written by

I'm a Social Justice Educator and Aspiring Humanitarian who is interested in conflict resolution, improving intergroup relations, and building more equitable and inclusive communities. "Notes from an Aspiring Humanitarian" is my blog, where I write about issues of diversity, inclusion, equity, and social justice. By exploring social identities through written word, film & video, and other forms of media, I hope to continue to expand and enrich conversations about social issues that face our society, and to find ways to take social action while encouraging others to do so as well in their own ways.

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