Hi friends! I gave a keynote talk for an association on Friday, and I mentioned a quote from Tema Okun’s White Supremacy Culture website in regards to the characteristic of “Sense of Urgency”. Several people either resonated with this or felt it was a huge takeaway.
I agree. I heard an organizer say once, "You can't fight if you're tired." It was a reminder to slow down and take care of ourselves but I think it goes back to your point. Capitalism wants us to exhaust ourselves so we can get rid of ourselves before we can get rid of it.
Capitalism and white supremacy and “the American Dream” (which are all different words for the same thing) all attempt to make us feel like we’re alone. This sense of urgency reinforces this feeling.
So does perfectionism.
So does quantity-over-quality.
So does either/or thinking.
All of which are traits of white supremacy culture.
The solution is the collective.
By finding our people, by collaborating and sticking together, we begin to dismantle all the parts of white supremacy.
I agree. I heard an organizer say once, "You can't fight if you're tired." It was a reminder to slow down and take care of ourselves but I think it goes back to your point. Capitalism wants us to exhaust ourselves so we can get rid of ourselves before we can get rid of it.
Yes, Leah!
Capitalism and white supremacy and “the American Dream” (which are all different words for the same thing) all attempt to make us feel like we’re alone. This sense of urgency reinforces this feeling.
So does perfectionism.
So does quantity-over-quality.
So does either/or thinking.
All of which are traits of white supremacy culture.
The solution is the collective.
By finding our people, by collaborating and sticking together, we begin to dismantle all the parts of white supremacy.
Thank you for this reminder, Nisha!