Personally, I've come to understand racism in the form of intersections, and fully grasp white privilege. Systemic racism, color laws, antiracism, the truth about welfare and immigration, the outright injustice of our prison system - I admit to previous ignorance and prejudice, and I hope I am now living out a deeper and more nuanced world view.
One of the greatest changes, communally, that I've seen is a holistic approach to physical care, particularly in mental health. We are starting to treat the brain as an organ, seeking to heal, rather than treat symptoms. The work in PTSD, as an example, is life-changing.
Spiritually, #metoo and #churchtoo are breaking silence, and shifting the perspective from women as seducers and "men will be boys" to outrage and justice and believing the victim first. We've STILL got a long way to go, but recognizing abuse and assault versus assigning guilt because a jezebel makes a man break the Billy Graham rule is on an upward trend.
I appreciate all of your thoughts here, but I 'm especially intrigued by your perspective on racism as intersections. That's where the tire meets the road. All of the components you've mentioned, are where we intersect with what was, and what could be, when it comes to racism of all types.
As with your other observations, the me too movement and so much church complicity are huge elephants in the room that we have ignored for way too long. I will be expanding on many of these in my eventual - Part Two - "Can We ALL Agree .
Another big change is the increase in vegetarian and plant-based diets which are healthier for people and for the planet. I found this on the Food Revolution Network:
" . . . in 2020, plant-based dairy and meat sales were over $29 billion and were projected to increase to $162 billion by 2030. This means that plant-based meat and dairy alternatives are already making up nearly 8% of the so-called global “protein foods” market. And according to the Bloomberg Intelligence Report, plant-based food sales are expected to increase fivefold by 2030.
Furthermore, nearly half of all major food companies, including Kroger, Nestlé, and Unilever, have put dedicated plant-based teams in place to help them develop new products to compete in the marketplace."
I am cooking a lot more plant-based meals than I used to, so yes, I have changed in this way, too.
That's an interesting and encouraging discovery. Not the kind that I would have imagined myself thinking about an hour ago but important just the same. Thank you for reminding us that this circle of life is all interconnected and sustainable food sources for a rapidly growing population are critical to our addressing climate change
There have been many positive changes in the world since the beginning of this new millennium. It is because of these positive changes that we are experiencing more division. For instance: It is now legal for homosexuals to marry and more LGBTQ people feel free to be themselves. Because of this, people who fear and hate LGBTQs are acting out. Twenty years ago, I was much less understanding of homosexuals and would not have thought they could marry. Beginning in 2011 when gay marriage was legalized in New York I performed over a dozen same-gender weddings in my role as a life-cycle celebrant. I had come to realize that every kind of love should be honored and recognized. This is just one of the many ways I see that the world is becoming a kinder and more loving place.
Thank you for reminding us of all of the huge steps taken in the direction of equality and respect for ALL. Those steps are all too often overshadowed by recent attempts to go backwards.
My view of humanity and our duty to the planet we depend on for survival has changed drastically, as has my view of the systems of power that shape the way we interact with various fragile ecosystems that we are casually destroying while half of us pretend the other half of us are just alarmists.
I'm right with you. I've waffled back and forth over which is a more existential crisis - our division or the destruction of the climate. I lean toward the division but only slightly. If the GOP gets back in "control", they will reverse as much as they can of Bidens accomplishments regarding the environment. My hope though it's shaky, is that when enough people stop hating each other categorically we might start listening to each other and step outside our echo chambers where the evidence is unquestionable that we're subduing/destroying the earth we live on. No amount of wealth should justify burning down your only house.
I tend to see the negative divisions and the fast pace in which we seem to have gotten here, although I do understand the underlying elements that lead to this seemingly accelerated division.
It was the second question I found harder to answer. At first I thought ‘no’ I haven’t changed personally in terms of my values etc. But honestly I’m sure I have. I think I’ve become more entrenched in my thoughts /values. Which likely is why we have the ‘us and them’ phenomena we’re seeing now. Everyone is digging in to their way being the ‘right’ way. Lots to ponder.
As I was leaving the house yesterday, your first four words snagged me - "I tend to see. . . " That which we focus on seems to almost actively obscure everything else. Like a predator going for the kill, we narrow our vision and perspective. And the more hyped we get, the less conflicting "data" we take in.
Regarding the second question I agree - it requires some serious soul searching, and I'm personally not liking all that I'm seeing. So much to ponder indeed.
Thanks for your thoughts and have a great weekend.
Another change has been that "the movement for a cleaner, greener world has grown increasingly popular as the climate crisis has worsened, and organizations such as Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund, now household names, have raised millions to save species, cut down on pollution and slow the effects of climate change." Just four years ago I became aware of the movement to restore native habitats as a way of improving our environment. This awareness has made a huge impact on my life and the lives of those with whom I share my growing knowledge.
Everybody doing their part, using their particular gifts and talents is certainly encouraging but it also builds bridges between people who might otherwise be so different.
Good Morning Steve - I appreciate your comment, and thanks so much for participating in the poll.
Your response regarding the mustard seed reminds me of "The Hundredth Monkey" and both concepts would warrant at least a chapter in a book if I ever write one.
Personally, I've come to understand racism in the form of intersections, and fully grasp white privilege. Systemic racism, color laws, antiracism, the truth about welfare and immigration, the outright injustice of our prison system - I admit to previous ignorance and prejudice, and I hope I am now living out a deeper and more nuanced world view.
One of the greatest changes, communally, that I've seen is a holistic approach to physical care, particularly in mental health. We are starting to treat the brain as an organ, seeking to heal, rather than treat symptoms. The work in PTSD, as an example, is life-changing.
Spiritually, #metoo and #churchtoo are breaking silence, and shifting the perspective from women as seducers and "men will be boys" to outrage and justice and believing the victim first. We've STILL got a long way to go, but recognizing abuse and assault versus assigning guilt because a jezebel makes a man break the Billy Graham rule is on an upward trend.
I appreciate all of your thoughts here, but I 'm especially intrigued by your perspective on racism as intersections. That's where the tire meets the road. All of the components you've mentioned, are where we intersect with what was, and what could be, when it comes to racism of all types.
As with your other observations, the me too movement and so much church complicity are huge elephants in the room that we have ignored for way too long. I will be expanding on many of these in my eventual - Part Two - "Can We ALL Agree .
Thank you for making me think
What the heck is the "Billy Graham rule?"
Basically - a man should not be alone, in any situation, with a woman who is not his wife.
Another big change is the increase in vegetarian and plant-based diets which are healthier for people and for the planet. I found this on the Food Revolution Network:
" . . . in 2020, plant-based dairy and meat sales were over $29 billion and were projected to increase to $162 billion by 2030. This means that plant-based meat and dairy alternatives are already making up nearly 8% of the so-called global “protein foods” market. And according to the Bloomberg Intelligence Report, plant-based food sales are expected to increase fivefold by 2030.
Furthermore, nearly half of all major food companies, including Kroger, Nestlé, and Unilever, have put dedicated plant-based teams in place to help them develop new products to compete in the marketplace."
I am cooking a lot more plant-based meals than I used to, so yes, I have changed in this way, too.
That's an interesting and encouraging discovery. Not the kind that I would have imagined myself thinking about an hour ago but important just the same. Thank you for reminding us that this circle of life is all interconnected and sustainable food sources for a rapidly growing population are critical to our addressing climate change
There have been many positive changes in the world since the beginning of this new millennium. It is because of these positive changes that we are experiencing more division. For instance: It is now legal for homosexuals to marry and more LGBTQ people feel free to be themselves. Because of this, people who fear and hate LGBTQs are acting out. Twenty years ago, I was much less understanding of homosexuals and would not have thought they could marry. Beginning in 2011 when gay marriage was legalized in New York I performed over a dozen same-gender weddings in my role as a life-cycle celebrant. I had come to realize that every kind of love should be honored and recognized. This is just one of the many ways I see that the world is becoming a kinder and more loving place.
Thank you for reminding us of all of the huge steps taken in the direction of equality and respect for ALL. Those steps are all too often overshadowed by recent attempts to go backwards.
My view of humanity and our duty to the planet we depend on for survival has changed drastically, as has my view of the systems of power that shape the way we interact with various fragile ecosystems that we are casually destroying while half of us pretend the other half of us are just alarmists.
I'm right with you. I've waffled back and forth over which is a more existential crisis - our division or the destruction of the climate. I lean toward the division but only slightly. If the GOP gets back in "control", they will reverse as much as they can of Bidens accomplishments regarding the environment. My hope though it's shaky, is that when enough people stop hating each other categorically we might start listening to each other and step outside our echo chambers where the evidence is unquestionable that we're subduing/destroying the earth we live on. No amount of wealth should justify burning down your only house.
I tend to see the negative divisions and the fast pace in which we seem to have gotten here, although I do understand the underlying elements that lead to this seemingly accelerated division.
It was the second question I found harder to answer. At first I thought ‘no’ I haven’t changed personally in terms of my values etc. But honestly I’m sure I have. I think I’ve become more entrenched in my thoughts /values. Which likely is why we have the ‘us and them’ phenomena we’re seeing now. Everyone is digging in to their way being the ‘right’ way. Lots to ponder.
Good Morning Kim -
As I was leaving the house yesterday, your first four words snagged me - "I tend to see. . . " That which we focus on seems to almost actively obscure everything else. Like a predator going for the kill, we narrow our vision and perspective. And the more hyped we get, the less conflicting "data" we take in.
Regarding the second question I agree - it requires some serious soul searching, and I'm personally not liking all that I'm seeing. So much to ponder indeed.
Thanks for your thoughts and have a great weekend.
Another change has been that "the movement for a cleaner, greener world has grown increasingly popular as the climate crisis has worsened, and organizations such as Greenpeace and World Wildlife Fund, now household names, have raised millions to save species, cut down on pollution and slow the effects of climate change." Just four years ago I became aware of the movement to restore native habitats as a way of improving our environment. This awareness has made a huge impact on my life and the lives of those with whom I share my growing knowledge.
Everybody doing their part, using their particular gifts and talents is certainly encouraging but it also builds bridges between people who might otherwise be so different.
My answer to the question “what is to be done?” changes constantly. On my good days I recall the power inherent in a mustard seed.
Good Morning Steve - I appreciate your comment, and thanks so much for participating in the poll.
Your response regarding the mustard seed reminds me of "The Hundredth Monkey" and both concepts would warrant at least a chapter in a book if I ever write one.