...is not always bliss.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
~ Nelson Mandela
We've all been there.
In a situation where we're asked a question that we don't know the answer to. I have to admit that I've found myself in that position and sometimes it's hard for me to say "I don't know". Ego gets in the way out of fear of looking stupid. Especially when the question is pertaining to a subject we're suppose to be well versed in.
But guess what?
Nobody knows everything.
There's actually power in saying "I don't know." However the next step needs to be you taking action by learning and figuring out the answer. Ignorance can't be the excuse forever.
There is a lot going on in the world today. Like a lot of people, for me this week has been hard while working through heavy emotions.
I was outraged, sad, frustrated, confused... But at the end of it, I figured out that the root of my feelings are all stemming from ignorance.
Like I said before, when we feel ignorant we tend to lean away because we're scared of looking stupid... or we jump on the first bandwagon we see on social media... because why not go along with everyone else, they must know.
I almost didn't go forward with my LiVE on The L.A.X. Saturday morning. I was going to be silent in protest of the injustice that is happening. But then I asked myself, am I going silent because I think not talking is the best solution to this problem or am I going silent because I don't know what to say?
I grew up in a household where we pushed our problems and issues under the rug instead of leaning into them and talking about the hard stuff. I know this method does not work.
I want to find a better way. I want my instincts to tell me to ask questions and lean in to the hard times. That it's ok to look stupid for a while and ask the hard questions because that's where growth lies... I'll probably forever be working on this.
I am so thankful Christian Vincent was willing and able to come back on The L.A.X. LiVE this last Saturday. I asked him to talk about the history of Jazz and where it originated. I knew it originated from Africa which is why I chose this subject but wanted to learn more. As Christian said, "We need to give credit where credit is due."
The styles of dance I teach and love are what they are today because of the black culture. I am so thankful.
You see dance is my first language. English is my second. I needed to pick a topic I had some insight to start my conversation on racism.
I learned so much from Christian in our conversation but this is only the tip of the iceberg in my education and awareness of racial injustice.
I am a blonde haired white woman who lives in "Whitesville". I will never know what it's like walking around as a black person, male or female. But I can ask questions and try to understand... it's called empathy. Yes, that's what we need more of.
We don't need to be quick to react and quick to jump down peoples throats.
We (white, black, brown, every colour and race) need to start the hard conversations. Ask questions, listen and learn. And approach them with empathy.
Everyone has a story and their own narrative that's unlike yours.
Educate yourself. Educate your kids. Educate your students.
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