Module 2: Leaning into the truthon how whiteness/nationalism/colorism shows up in us
Breaking patterns of harm requires taking responsibility for ourselves and the legacy of whiteness (and/or colorism and nationalism), with dignity and humility. When we push through our instinct to protect our sense of self as good, and really lean into exploring how white supremacy has shaped us, we make space to reflect and choose who we want to be instead allowing cultural programming to shape us.
The body is a truth cord
As I learned from Langston Kahn, the body is a truth cord, with a concentration of information in our gut, heart, and mind. The body is a silent observer when any of those three parts are not in alignment, or are blocked because we are hiding something from ourselves.
While paying attention to your body as a truth cord, take some time to reflect on the questions below, written by Bob Anderson. Thinking about diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging efforts at your place of work, choose one or two that you know you should answer for yourself. Please take some notes on what answers come to you, paying attention to any messages your body (as a truth cord) gives you.
Is there an important truth I haven’t been willing to tell?
Is there something I haven’t been willing to hear from someone else?
Have I been living in fear of the worst?
Have I been pretending to know more than I really know?
Is there something I should have done that I’ve left undone?
Have I been waiting for someone or something else to rescue me?
Accountability and some symptoms of whiteness
Please watch the following video, and then complete the question prompts below.
Folks who move through the world as white commonly have a deeply embodied distorted sense of self because of the impacts of white supremacy culture. Below are some ways that might show up (if you are not white, you can look at this list to see which you relate to).
If you get really honest with yourself, which of these do you recognize in yourself? Please write down some key words or notes on how you see these show up for you.
individualism: I, I, I instead of we, we, we – “I need to prove my worth or I will be rejected.”
entitlement: I, I, I instead of we, we, we – safety and comfort for self at the expense of others
white supremacy has a spoiled child effect: hoarding space and resources, with little patience when we don’t get our way (thinking our rights are being taken when we’re asked to only take our fair share)
white exceptionalism: many white folks think anti-racist practices aren’t about them, it’s about other white folks
there is no anti-racism resume that makes white folks immune to doing the work of unpacking internalized white supremacy, iteratively and forever
white superiority: white people’s minds and bodies are programmed to believe whiteness is normal and a bit better (even if it’s unconscious)
often results in white folks acting like a boss, supervisor, or expert (giving unsolicited advice, thinking there’s an objectively “best” way, talking too much, over-valuing their opinion, and centering themselves instead of the whole group)
individual/ancestral trauma mixed with whiteness can show up in ways that take up a lot of space, cause numbness or apathy, and/or can result in violence towards Black and Brown folks
“I have suffered, therefore the world owes me.”
“I was treated like I wasn’t smart, so now I constantly try to prove I am smart.”
“I can’t feel into my heart because I need to protect myself from grief.”
“If I am not seen as good, I will be rejected—there is not enough unconditional love for me.”
Racial microaggressions in health and wellness settings
Although the term “microaggressions” can be a useful term, racial microaggressions are not micro in their impacts on folks of color and people of other cultures, especially in healthcare and wellness settings where there is so much potential risk, vulnerability, and needed trust.
“The current study found that racial microaggressions [are] correlated with depression and anxiety as well as with psychological stress. These findings are consistent with previous research that found evidence to suggest that negative health symptoms, such as depression and anxiety, manifested from the strain associated with experiencing racial microaggressions.”
“Healthcare microaggressions refer to implicit discrimination within the healthcare setting, whereby treatment providers who are in positions of authority inadvertently marginalize members of minority groups through culturally insensitive interactions.”
Some examples of racial microaggressions in health and wellness spaces:
Please make note of any of these you have said, thought, and/or witnessed at work. Here are more examples if you don’t see any in these two boxes to pull from.
If you are newly realizing you have said or thought any of these things, know that this is what we are practicing in this training: facing the truth, letting it burn though us, and integrate this knowledge moving forward. You didn’t know, and now you do.
Do a body scan to see what your body needs (a walk outside, water, stretching, dancing, etc.). Click here if you want to access the guided body scan from Module 1.
Notice if you have any emotions that need to be tended to. Consider reaching out to a trusted support person to process out loud.
Once you complete all aspects of this module, and give yourself time to absorb the practices and reflections, you are ready to move on.
