Norm,
Wow. This is very well written, and very uncomfortable to read. It’s like
looking in a mirror and seeing some ugly things I failed to notice about myself
before, or just chose to ignore. I can see I need to be having some frank
conversations with myself.
Thank you for this,
Bob T
From: dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
On Behalf Of Norm Larkins
Sent: February 22, 2021 9:02 PM
To: dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: RE: A Kairos Moment
I have deliberated all day about the various emails and have decided I need to
respond.
I must admit I am a racist, though it is not necessarily the right thing to do.
My life long learning (formal education and living experiences) has meant I am
much more comfortable with those who have similar learning, and I am
increasingly uncomfortable with others who have increasingly different learning
(whether that difference is based upon race, age, sex, religion, language, and
so on). So it is a constant challenge to suspend judgement, to demonstrate
tolerance and attempt understanding when facing such discomfort. It is even
more difficult when emotions are heightened. And I must admit I am not always
successful in suspending judgement, or demontrating tolerance. And discussion
of racism would be appropriate.
But too often we quickly jump to racism without tackling the larger human
foible of prejudice. Racisim is but one of many prejudices and we as
individuals must be aware of them, tackle them, suspend judgement, demontrate
tolerance, seek information, and attempt understanding. We may experience
ageism or sexism. Homophobia has long been an issue, while transphobia seems
to me to be relatively new. We are all familiar with religious prejudice when
we think of Muslims and Jews, but what about the Mormons or the Jehovah's
Witnes or the Hutterites. We may not think of national prejudice until we are
comfronted with attitudes towards America during 2020. And there is the
prejudice of classism, the billionaires and the multimillionaires, the average
folk and the residents of the SROs. And the prejudice to the people
experiencing physical barriers (wheelchair bound because of Cerebral Palsy, or
accident), the deaf and the blind. And the prejudice toward people with
psychological barriers such as mental illness or autism. Prejudice towards the
drug addicted, and the alcohol dependent. The prejudice towards the obese and
the dwarfs. The prejudice towards the homeless, and the ones living in camper
vans and trailers on our streets, and the tent city residents at Strathcona
Park. In each case it takes great effort to suspend judgement, to demonstrate
tolerance, to seek information to better understand and to come to terms with
our fellow humans. And when emotion creeps into this it is so much more
difficult.
But let me take the next leap. We are quick to judge the author of my original
email as being racist. I clearly indicated some would be offended by the
content. And I admit I did have an emotional reaction to it and would normally
have simply deleted it. But are we being prejudiced in our response to it? Or
can we suspend our judgement to some extent, to demonstrate a degree of
tolerance, to seek information to better understand the reason it is written
and the author's circumstance. That is not to say we have to accept it, but
maybe we need to understand where it is coming from so we can come to terms
with another fellow human being who is but the single voice of a larger group.
If there is to be a discussion of racism, I would hope some time would also be
spent on the issue of prejudice in all of its forms because we come face to
face with it everyday. And we are constantly challenged with suspending our
judgement, seeking information and clarification, demonstrating tolerance and
hopefullly increased understanding and acceptance. I am not always successful
at doing it, but I do recognize that I am challenged by it because I am human
and suffer the foibles of being human.
Norm
Sent: Monday, February 22, 2021 at 12:13 PM
From: "Bob Thomlinson" <bthomlinson@xxxxxxxxx <mailto:bthomlinson@xxxxxxxxx> >
To: dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: RE: A Kairos Moment
Frank and Suzanne,
Thank you, this is a very interesting proposition. Could you clarify your
proposal a bit more before we start asking for participants?
1. Would this be a facilitated discussion or a more formal presentation
allowing for questions and discussion afterwards?
2. How long do you anticipate a session would run? Alternatively, is one
session enough to enlighten us old guys?
3. Is this something we could do in a weekday morning or afternoon
session?
Cheers,
Bob Thomlinson
From: dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
<dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:dsp-ea-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> > On Behalf Of Frank Lewis
Sent: February 22, 2021 9:42 AM
To: dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto:dsp-ea-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: A Kairos Moment
Kairos (Ancient Greek: καιρός) is an Ancient Greek word meaning the right,
critical, or opportune moment. The ancient Greeks had two words for time:
chronos (χρόνος) and kairos. The former refers to chronological or sequential
time, while the latter signifies a proper or opportune time for action.
Brothers I think we have arrived at a place of important conversation. Yes we
are blessed with fine educations. Yes we have poked the bear with a topic that
is front and centre...'racism'.
Taking from the Wikipedia meaning of KAIROS, this maybe 'a proper or opportune
time for action'.
My partner is a consultant in the adult education field. She has participated
in multicultural groups as participant and coordinator. As well much of her
work is as a First Nations education facilitator in Treaty 8 and the unceded
territories in B.C.
In my sharing this wonderful brouhaha with Suzanne our discussion evolved to a
wider perspective...racism. Perhaps a 180 is needed here. We people of white
privilege* have an opportunity to understand our racism.
So what action can be taken Brothers? If there is an interest, Suzanne is
willing to undertake a ZOOM or WEBEX faciltative conversation on white
privilege and our specific role in racism.
I would ask Bob Thomlinson to be the point person (I.e. gatherer of names of
those who would find this opportunity helpful AND whether a day or evening
session would be preferred) BTW Suzanne has the technology to make this work.
* Brother Mike Hart our black brother would be a wonderful addition. However I
understand we don't have a link to Mike.
YITBOS
Frank and Suzanne
