“The function, the very serious function of racism is distraction. It keeps you from doing your work. It keeps you explaining, over and over again, your reason for being. Somebody says you have no language and you spend twenty years proving that you do. Somebody says your head isn’t shaped properly so you have scientists working on the fact that it is. Somebody says you have no art, so you dredge that up. Somebody says you have no kingdoms, so you dredge that up. None of this is necessary. There will always be one more thing.”
― Toni Morrison
Welcome back to Tough Mind, Tender Heart. Welcome to those who have remained with us and to those who are just joining in on this newsletter and wanting to grow antiracist principles/ethics. This newsletter was started to continue the legacy of antiracist ideals of the many that have gone before us. How do we continue on in action and belief rather than just sink into performative activism? This particular newsletter is a two part reflection with the latter coming in just a few weeks.
I preface this newsletter by saying that there is a way that liberation and progressive movements have been hindered mightily by respectability politics, spiritualities that demand submission, and more. This writing is an attempt to analyze the ways in which we go about acquiring knowledge and freedom. In our quest to reshape our lives, our families, and our societies in ways that are human honoring, how do we remain faithful to not becoming that which we hate?
“For me, forgiveness and compassion are always linked: how do we hold people accountable for wrongdoing and yet at the same time remain in touch with their humanity enough to believe in their capacity to be transformed?”
― bell hooks
I hold fast to the truth that liberation can not come at the comfort and speed that those in positions of power and privilege demand. “Let’s wait a little longer until the time feels right.” or “If we do that (insert name of those in power) will be upset.” It’s also easy to wait for the right time when you aren’t the one that is suffering directly. Social location and proximity to power matters. Freedom typically doesn’t come when oppressors just decide that they’ve had enough indulgence and need to be nicer. And. There are ways that we can fight that will merely reinscribe domination in our new communities, new structures, etc. I endeavor to remind myself that truth-telling is part of liberation and antiracist work. One of the truths that we must tell is that we are typically reacting to other human beings on the other side of our oppression. This is a difficult truth as we reel from dehumanization and death. Reminding ourselves that people are human can easily be an exercise in excusing hate, but it doesn’t have to be. Reminding ourselves of humanity saves us from becoming that which we hate and that which we are fighting against. Reminding ourselves of humanity has the ability to energize us against racism, homophobia, and bigotry of all kinds.
Robert Monson
co-director
Robert (he/him) is a runner, musician, and a Black theologian committed to softness, contemplation, and liberation for all. As a recent seminary graduate (with distinction) and a current PhD student, Robert studied in-depth the intersection of Black Liberation Theology and womanist theology. Weaving together these two strands of liberation have been important work as well as other liberation based theologies. “How can we help facilitate community and provide answers to a hurting world that is reeling?” remains an important question in his work. While in school, Robert’s scholarly work was recognized and presented at various national conferences/outlets. Podcasting (two shows) and writing remain important aspects of his daily life as well as marathoning the latest Star Trek show(s).