By CMind staff, 6/1/20
As an organization committed to a more just and compassionate society, we condemn the brutal murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police. We stand in solidarity with protesters across the US and the world against systemic anti-Black racism perpetuated by those in power. We demand that all officers involved in these violent actions be held accountable. We must work together to dismantle this institutionalized system of oppression. We stand in solidarity with all victims of police brutality and white supremacist violence, including the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other Black victims of violence in African American communities.
As an organization committed to contemplative practices as means of nurturing justice and compassion, we believe that liberation and empowerment cannot be realized without confronting how systemic racism and white supremacy can infect our contemplative, meditation and mindfulness communities. Especially for white folks in predominantly white contemplative communities: we may hold the best intentions for offering welcoming and inclusive spaces that realize Beloved Community even as our actions are poisoned by the pervasive effects of systemic racism. It is therefore vital that we dedicate ourselves to the ongoing work of healing our minds and hearts with anti-racism as we work to transform systems of oppression, including in our contemplative communities. As the staff of CMind, we recommit ourselves to this effort as we continue to offer resources for a more just, compassionate, and sustainable society.
Upcoming Events from CMind & Wider Community
- Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality: Community Grounding (for BIPOC only)
Organized and facilitated by Dr. Angel Acosta
Thursday, June 4, 2020 from 6-7:30 pm ET - Black Wellness in the Era of COVID-19: A Retreat For and With Black People
Led by Ruth King & Kamilah Majied, hosted by CMind
Sunday, June 7, 2020 at 3-5pm ET
Please note that participation in this virtual retreat is reserved for Black people only. - Community Grounding: Contemplating 400 Years of Inequality
Organized and facilitated by Dr. Angel Acosta
Thursday, June 11, 2020 from 6-7:30 pm ET - Being in Our Black Bodies: Juneteenth Poetry Set (Live on the NWC YouTube Channel)
Organized and facilitated by the Next World Collective
LIVE, Friday, June 19th, 7-8pm ET - How Can We be Daringly and Radically-Well During Times of Upheaval?
The June 2020 ACMHE Contemplative Education Webinar
Friday, June 26, 2020, 3 – 4:15pm ET
Suggested Reading & Watching
Here are some resources which we have found personally helpful — particularly to us as white women. We suggest these in case they may be helpful to all, but at this time, especially to other white-identified folks, to support our necessary work for collective transformation and liberation. ~ Lila, Carrie & Maya @CMind
- Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Jasmine Syedullah
- How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice by Paul Kivel
- My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
- Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King
- The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by Rhonda V. Magee
- The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing by Anneliese A. Singh
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
- Tamika Mallory’s speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7-2qnaCQr4 and on Democracy now: https://www.democracynow.org/2020/6/1/tamika_mallory_speech_police_brutality
- Speech by Killer Mike: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZY3eCrpkBE