On Juneteenth I recognize none of us are truly free until we all are free. When some of our civil rights and civil liberties are threatened, we are all similarly threatened. Let’s strive to recognize that we are ALL incalculably, incorruptibly valuable, now as we are. Also, we are all worthy of extravagant love and belonging now, as we are. Moreover, let’s enthusiastically love one another as ourselves. I stand in solidarity with my black brothers and sisters, you matter to me.
Author: Dr. Louis A. Giordano
Sonder
My dear brother, friend, sage and so much more, Michael L Dublin Sr. shared a word with me that resonates. That word is “Sonder.”
Sonder-The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passed in the street, has a life as complex as one’s own, which they are constantly living despite one’s personal lack of awareness of it. Sonder speaks to our common humanity. We are more alike than different.
Sonder speaks to recognizing the humanity is us all as a human family. We all have stories that would make another person cry, laugh, gasp, etc. All of us have brilliant strengths, talents, unique gifts, abilities as well as struggles, hardships, losses, & problems. When we recognize our common humanity, this enriches us. We do not have to make sonder about “better” or “worse,” “valuable” or “worthless,” but merely intriguing differences that can enrich us all as unique members of our human family.
Honing our sonder is a step in the right direction towards breaking down systematic, institutional systems of oppression.
An informed perspective on racism versus anti-racism
My heart breaks, I feel outraged by the daily bullying, oppression, inequality and racism I see. If you are alarmed, concerned, outraged, then please listen to Brené Brown’s Unlocking us. Her latest episode is called how to be an antiracist. Consider leaving your feedback.