A small AHA moment
or for many of you, probably a DUH moment. 
Whatever, I'm going to share anyway because it helps me process stuff.
I just saw this in GD: It's the system, stupid -- http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027646173
And I agree -- the systems are in many ways broken, imho.
HOWEVER, what the "systems change" people often forget in the realm of politics and economics is that if you're not white, chances are very good that any new system won't be fair either...not until the culture itself is transformed and that transformation is part of the new systems.
Honest to God I didn't post this in order to reference my post from yesterday, which I do still hope to get feedback on, but it's pertinent to what I just said.
I AM a systems change person, but diversity and NO MORE OTHERING is at the core of the cultural transformation I long to engage in and help facilitate any way I can.
I honestly believe that lies at the heart of my reason for being on this earth and always has -- I've been a vocal PITA against racism and all forms of "othering" my entire life, so much so that I'm not connected to my family members in any meaningful way.
But I'm stuck in the middle in a most significant way now, more than ever, and I think it's because the white privilege is making its last stand in a powerful, powerful way right now (so they're against me), and communities of color in general likely don't trust what I long to create, with them. My closest non-white friends just aren't into what I'm doing. They support it, but they don't want to be involved; perhaps there is fear of being more engaged...I don't know...I can't get a clear answer from anyone.
Which is why I have to pour my heart out to groups of people, many of whom I don't know personally and who may think I'm a PITA, just like the white privilege crowd, in my quest for more insight. lolol
I guess I need to find higher-profile WoC who may resonate with what I'm trying to do. I don't know... I'm lost right now.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/118743434
= new reply since forum marked as read
When the system, meaning people to me, allow for 400 years the degradation of PoC and then all of a sudden are concerned about their lives, it's a mind-blow for the people to believe they were immune from all the other ills that are the results of a racist system.
It's just that system, to me, is too nice a way to couch or frame it.
I'm not sure, OGR, if non-white friends aren't into what you're doing. The not wanting to be involved part, to me, is it's exhausting living in the racist system on a day-to-day basis and then have to connect the dots for non-PoC about how racism and economic decline are intricately linked. It's momumental and the most "progressive" candidate can't do it. So please don't feel badly about the roadblocks. This is a slog and I welcome white people who are in it for the long haul not just every 50 or 4 years 
The systems ARE people. I guess that's why I prefer to use the term culture -- because to me that is more obviously about people (their beliefs, behaviors, etc.), and our cultures create our systems.
I'm going to step back and look at that much differently now. Thank you. There is indeed a lot of talk about "systems change" -- which is one of the many rabbit holes I went down only to find it is reeeeeeeallly white.
Thanks also for offering insight into what may prevent some from wanting to be involved.
Maybe I need to make the very clear point that PoC are NOT there to teach white people anything. That isn't my intention at all. It's more about deepening relationships, so we can trust one another more -- not only involving skin color but just people in general being hesitant to take a leap of faith to truly deepen our relationships and get to know one another, in all of our brokenness.
Creating something from a very different place than has been done thus far and working with others doing the same.
Sadly, I'm realizing what a unicorn it really is to find an aligned organization/project that truly has diversity built into the foundation. Many INTEND to have diversity but it's not the priority.
That's my line in the sand and I may be stuck here forever, but I'll keep sticking to it instead of caving in, because it is that important.
I know you and giving up is not part of your makeup and showing appreciation is a pleasure for me
I've been watching videos about the white Freedom Riders of Bernie's generation. That activism on their part in the '60s, every one of them, I've heard so far, said it informed their Whole Life and they are in it in one form or another forever. One woman, who turned to working with poor moms, suffers from PTSD to this day from the experience but she's never given up.
Just saying that they are an inspiration who've been at it longer than many of us were born or just toddlers. You're among a group of people who don't need to be told that it's Racism, Stupid so what can I do and do it
