How to use mindfulness to stand in solidarity with the Black Community

Jun 4

“We don't meditate to become good meditators. We meditate to be more awake in our lives.” — Thich Nhat Hanh

As many of us continue to wake up to the horror of racism, we can draw upon our meditation practice to help fight for a kinder and more just world.

Here are eleven ways that your meditation practice can help you combat racism. We hope it inspires you to see that you already have a lot of amazing tools to support you on this journey.

1 | Sit with discomfort

Waking up to injustice can be uncomfortable, especially when we realize that some of our words, actions, and beliefs may actually be part of the problem. In the same way that we choose not to squirm during our meditation practice, how might we take a moment to notice our reaction when someone points out our privilege or lets us know that what we said was racist? Do we become defensive, shutdown, or dismissive? Those are a few examples of how we twist and turn our way out of the discomfort of feeling shame.

Our fear of being racist prevents us from bravely exploring our own racism so that we can start the work of undoing it. If this concept feels hard to swallow, we recommend reading Ibram X. Kendi’s book, How to be an Antiracist. He says to let go of ‘racist’ being a bad word and instead see it as a helpful way to identify a thought or behavior that needs to be unpacked.

As we engage with this uncomfortable introspection, it’s important to foster self-compassion. Gently create space to meet whatever feelings are coming up, including heartache, anger, grief, shame, and confusion. It is only from this grounded place within that we can be truly open to the perspective of another. This is where learning and unlearning begins.

2 | Meet your mistakes with equanimity

Making mistakes is human. It’s impossible not to make mistakes and the painful reality is that when we try really hard to be perfect and in control, we tend to make more mistakes. Making mistakes is an integral part of learning.

The next time you say or do something that causes harm, take a minute to remember you’re human and offer yourself compassion. Then, take action. Apologize, and if needed, learn more about why your language or behavior was hurtful (google it, there are so many great articles and resources out there, including these). Commit to doing better now that you know better.

3 | Honor similarity and difference

It’s not uncommon to feel a deep sense of connection with all beings during meditation. People often describe this as a feeling of oneness. While there is no denying our interconnectedness, it is important to remember that while at some level we may indeed all be one, our lived experiences are very different, informed and influenced by intersecting privileges and oppressions. To truly see another we must recognize both how we are similar and how we are different.

The denial of difference is the crux of the issues when people say all lives matter in response to black lives matter. Rachel Cargle explains that “stating 'black lives matter' doesn’t insinuate that other lives don’t.” Of course, all lives matter and it’s also important to recognize that black lives face discrimination and dehumanization at disproportionate levels.

4 | Expand your awareness

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention with as much kindness and curiosity as we can bring to the present moment. How might you apply this practice to learn more about the Black community’s struggles? Seek out books, podcasts, stories, and teachings by Black people. Listen with a beginner’s mind and open heart until your perspective widens and maybe even shifts. And, like you return to your meditation practice regularly, keep listening and learning.

Not sure where to start? Check out this booklist from the Chicago Public Library, or download the We Read Too app.

5 | Hold space for anger

Anger is a natural and appropriate response to injustice.

Sara Ahmed likens the embodied experience of oppression to the struggle for wiggle room and space to breathe. Imagine how exhausting and enraging it must be to continually experience microaggressions, to not see yourself represented in the leadership of your company or country, to see your community incarcerated disproportionately and to watch Eric Garner and George Floyd, say “I can’t breathe” as their final words.

Marginalized communities are tired of patiently waiting for change. Their anger is valid, and when we react to the anger and not the injustice, we help perpetuate harm.

Holding safer space for Black people to be heard creates breathing room and the possibility for real change that honors the humanity of Black lives.

6 | Let things be complex

Another way to practice mindfulness is to practice holding complexity. One way we can do that is to notice how the mind sometimes seeks simplicity when we're uncomfortable or feeling challenged. Something is either this or that. Something is either good or bad. Rather than reaching for a definitive answer, we can use our mindfulness practice to literally slow down and be with the mess.

An example: The next time you read a critique stating that a movie you loved was racist, notice if your first reaction is to write it off and feel bad for liking it. Could you instead take this as an opportunity to help expand your own understanding of the stories you consume? As Kim Katrin says, “Another's experience doesn't invalidate your own but it should and necessarily does complicate it.”

Being able to hold on to the many truths can help us see each other’s humanity.

7 | Summon courage

It can be scary to have difficult conversations about race with your family, or to show up in solidarity at a protest, or to challenge your workplace to be more inclusive, or confront your own racism. The truth is, if these things weren’t scary we wouldn’t need to be doing this work. It’s also important to remember that while speaking up against a racial inequity, joke or slur is hard, it’s even worse to be experiencing racism. Speaking up is a way that we can use our privilege to support the fight against racism (here’s a great post to help you respond to common racist statements).

If you dream of a world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, including Black people, then take a deep breath and let these wise words from Audre Lorde be your guiding light:

“When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” ― Audre Lorde

8 | Decenter yourself

Have you heard the term white savior complex? It’s when a white person becomes passionate about injustice and tries to be the hero that ends racism (learn more at nowhitesaviors.org). The intention is lovely but the outcome is awkward, or worse dangerous. Your tears are a valid response to bearing witness to suffering. The trouble is that folks often end up centering their sadness and confusion and drowning out Black voices (here’s a well-meaning, but painful example).

Center marginalized voices who have experienced racism and support their leadership. Be a part of the solution by showing up. Solidarity can look like making dinner for a friend who’s busy organizing an action, babysitting for a co-worker so they can get some self-care, amplifying Black voices on social media, or donating money to Black-led social justice organizations.

9 | Check-in with care

If you’re worried about the safety and wellbeing of your black friends, send a note to express your care and check in on them. Be mindful of what you say so that you don’t add to their stress, heartache or exhaustion. “Reaching out is about opening a door of communication. It is up to the other person if, when, and how they’d like to go through that door with you,” explains trauma psychologist, Jennifer M. Gómez. You can learn more from Dr. Gómez in this helpful article.

10 | Keep showing up

Kim Katrin invites us to imagine that our ‘allyship’ card expires every day, and renew our commitment every morning. Being an ally isn’t a destination, it’s a practice that we thoughtfully return to over and over again.

11 | Practice self-care

Unpacking our privilege and bearing witness to suffering is work. It takes time and care and energy. In order to keep showing up to this work, you must also make space to take care of yourself. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Rest, reset and rejuvenate so that you can keep showing up and taking meaningful action toward a more just world.

“Surrender the need of striving
to be the best or always right
and focus instead on leaning into Light,
that reveals all things.
All that is good
and all that stands to be corrected,
and redirected.”

— MHN

Acknowledgments

To the Black community who are and have been tirelessly fighting for justice and safety. We acknowledge that you are exhausted from the emotional labor of educating white people while living in constant fear. We know that we can and will do better.

🖤 This article was both directly and indirectly informed by the love and activism of:

Calm Editorial Team