I really appreciate Norm’s comments. He has a particular insight to these
issues. I’m sorry he has chosen not to participate, as his insights could be
very enlightening.
I think there is a natural tendency to be wary of those who are “different”
from ourselves, and in fact some of that is part of human history, bred into
us. It does to some extent have a purpose: until we know someone’s intentions
towards us we should be at least a little cautious. Scammers come to mind, as
they seem to be extremely prevalent these days.
Norm is right, it’s not just skin colour or accent. In fact, anyone you don’t
know and fully trust is actually in the “be cautious” category. Some people do
take cautious too far. Maybe they have experiences that cause them to be overly
cautious. Maybe they can’t distinguish when they step over the line.
These people are, however, a part of life. Our reaction to them, and how that
may affect our reactions to others, is likely more of the issue we need to
discuss. When we come across someone who is different from those we know and
trust, our reactions may also be inadvertently excessive, and that may provoke
an adverse reaction by them towards us. Some people (I know I’m one) are
naturally introverts, and this alone may come across as an “ism” to others.
Just some thoughts, provoked by Norm’s message. They are not fully thought out
and explored, but I hope they can be to some extent during our session.
Bob Ramsay
bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
On Mar 10, 2021, at 6:24 PM, Norm Larkins <normlarkins@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
Thanks Frank for all of your efforts regarding the issue of racism.
I had hoped my previous comments would open up the discussion to a wider topic
than seems currently the case - racism, First Nations and white privilege.
I am a racist, though I must constantly struggle with it and perhaps not always
successfully. I must be aware of it when dealing with friends from First
Nations groups, both those who visit my home, as well as those who I have
outside friendships or contacts with. But I must also be constantly aware of
it when dealing with my neighbours from the Phillipines, my neighbour across
the alley from Japan, my neighbour on the corner from Iran, another neighbour
down the street recently arrived from Hong Kong, and the two Syrian refugee
brothers who moved into the suite just two doors away on Feb. 1. I must be
aware of it with East Indian friends from Fiji, Black friends from Jamaica, and
Sikh friends from families who have lived in Vancouver area for generations.
I must be aware of it when walking on the sidewalk, or driving down the street,
or in the line-up at Superstore or Walmart. And it is important to be careful
using the term white privilege for racism, given groups having brown skin may
be considered white (Latinos come to mind and the serious racism against
Mexicans, and other South American migrants, as well as Syrians and others).
But more than racism, I must be aware of all my prejudices which may come from
all my experiences, including but not limited to what is called white
privilege. I must be aware of my ageism as I frequently have difficulty
understanding millenials and generation X'rs. And I must be aware of my
ableism, especially when visiting friends who have cerebral palsy and are
wheelchair bound. And when I volunteered at the First United Church on the
DTES I had to be aware of my issues regarding mental health, drug addiction,
and issues of homelessness. And when I stroll through the gardens at
Strathcona Park and occasionally chat with the homeless at tent city I must be
aware of my prejudices regarding that, drug addiction, alcohol dependence,
mental health, First Nations issues, and so on. And the list of 'isms' goes
on, from the more mundane of right handed versus left handed and fat versus
thin and the Westerner from the Ontarian, to the more odious sexism,
homophobia, transphobia and so on. In essence it is the we-they connundrum.
We have all these similarities regarding life experience related to something
specific, and they who have differing life experiences relating to the same
specific topic.
I found your second paragraph curious when suggesting other people should
consider rethinking their position like Steve Jobs. We all have that
fundamental responsibility - to constantly struggle with our current beliefs
and understandings, to rethink our position, and to be less judgemental of
others. We must reassess our white privilege, but within that whiteness, we
need also to assess our privilege in terms of weatlh, education, social
interations, mobility and so on with others who are white who have not achieved
or inherited the same wealth, had the mental accumen and opportunity to achieve
a high level of education, have the opportunity for a broad range of accepting
social interactions, the resources to be mobile, mental health to pursue a
dream and so on.
I found your comments made me feel uncomfortable - that something was missing
and the topic seems so limiting And I have mused over how to respond for the
past day. I have tried to capture my beliefs as best I can and truly
appreciate this opportunity for dialogue.
YITBOS
Norm
P.S. I have deccided not to participate at this time.
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2021 at 3:21 PM
From: "Frank Lewis" <livingincranbrook@xxxxxxxxx>
To: "dsp-ea-general" <dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Dialogue and Many Perspectives=Enlightenment
I appreciate those Brothers who have provided feedback on reasons not
to attend the ‘White Privilege’ ZOOM gatherings.
The perspectives shared by Brothers Jim Mann, Grant LeDrew, Rudi Grab
and Michael Dunne may well echo the thoughts of many more. Critical
dialogue is so important to any narrative. Critical dialogue involves
‘taking a pause’ to listen to other's stories, to reflect, to consider
and perhaps reconsider. Suzanne assigned me a reading from the
March-April 2021 Harvard Business Review that recounts Steve Jobs team
"pushing him to rethink his positions. If Jobs hadn't surrounded
himself with people who knew how to change his mind, he might not have
changed the world." Oh my, what would it be like not having our
IPhone?:)
Yes, I am part of a race, the white race. My people emigrated to
Canada for a better life, they worked hard on farms and railways to
make room for my generation to pursue a post secondary education. To
them I am indebted beyond any and all words. I am humbled by the their
self giving and generosity.
Racism is a loaded word. To many of us growing up through the Civil
Rights era, racism was something negative, something that existed
south of the border --- a way in which people were denied equality
because of systemic discrimination existing in government, community,
workplace, and schools.
All of us have had new experiences since our graduation from the UofA.
We have forged careers in the Arts, Sciences, Commerce, Education, Law
and Medicine. I have been blessed with a great education, career and
wealth as a result. In reflection over these many years since
graduation a deeper appreciation came upon me as I worked for First
Nations as a lawyer and later lived beside First Nations as a
Minister. My narrative changed as I came to understand more and I
continue to acknowledge having much more to understand.
I have found a better way to understand my identity as a white person
vis-à-vis people of colour in this definition from Robin Diangelo’s
book White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About
Racism.
…White privilege, a sociological concept referring to advantages that
are taken for granted by whites and cannot be similarly enjoyed by
people of color in the same context (government, community, workplace,
schools, etc).
Likely these words will stir further conversation. Perhaps interactive
dialogue can benefit us all.
YITBOS
Frank Lewis