Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out

“But when I look at you, I don’t see race.” As an African American woman, this well-meaning comment from the lens of the white individual renders my experience as a racial group member invisible, my history whitewashed, and my people at continued risk. It’s an innocence I can’t afford to have. When whites don’t see race when they look at me, they s

How is the body feeling? Where is the breath? Can I be more at ease in this moment? What supports you to be calm? See if you can cultivate more of that. What are some of the more common conditions that cause you to lose calmness? Are you aware of when calmness shifts? Which habits of mind generally flip you out of a state of calm? How does calmness

It was in such moments that I began to have a true kinship with the subtle nature of metta and to discern that the deeper impulse to smile at white people—and all people—was older than my cover story. It was more like the innate gift of a singing bird or smiling baby. It was my true nature—that flowing stream we open to when we are open to it.

When white nationalists are the only whites talking about white group identity, it can force other whites to avoid claiming whiteness out of a fear of association. What is needed are more conscious white people to talk about themselves as a racial group.

Dr. Barbara Riley tells us in her book Are You Ready for Outrageous Success? to “Be bothered with the twinges in your gut, when you know something is going on even if you are not totally clear about what . . . Be bothered with the individual and group reactions that are similar to and different than yours.” To become politically literate and involv

Now, recall a moment of loving presence with another person or a moment of deep gratitude. Bring that recollection into your heart and mind. Allow yourself to recall that moment as fully as you can, as a way of igniting your direct experience with care, with kindness.

GUIDED PRACTICE FOR N: NURTURE Inquiry: How do I care for this distress? Practice: In this moment, what’s needed that I can offer? What facilitates release and freedom?

Compassion practice motivates wise action.

Now, with gratitude, allow the image of the person to fade away, but maintain the essence of loving presence, that powerful quality of kindness and care.

We can strike back, or we can pause and tune into the suffering that is being displayed.