Oneness at Odds with Division
My dear friends, we are one. We are one with this planet. We are one as a human race. The bullshit that divides us is manmade, illusions meant to control and separate: to alienate us from our livelihood and each other. And while oppression is absolutely real and placed disproportionately on the backs of people of color, the poor, and women - it does not mean that our connection isn’t real or that our oneness goes away. Does that make any sense? Let me try to elaborate; words have not come easily the last few weeks.
Oppression is absolutely real and unjust. People are definitely starving, while others waste and indulge in excess. People are segregated and subjugated because of the color of their skin, their religion, their gender and gender expression, their nationality, their passions and beliefs. People are enslaved, abused, and tortured for incomprehensible reasons.
That is absolutely real. Privilege is real. Oppression is real.
Thankfully, so is our universal connection. So is our unified compassion. So is our dependency and oneness with this planet and the beautiful, diverse life we share it with. And yet, we are all so different. Which is exactly how it should be, because we each have very necessary roles to play here. Some of us are born screaming and aching about the injustice in the world, even though we have been born into privilege - because we are meant to use our privilege to do something about it. Privilege comes with serious responsibility. Some of us are born fully capable and full of fire to fight, because justice needs warriors. Some of us are born as feelers, whose compassion is a strength that must be practiced and shared, because justice requires empathy. Some of us are born into atrocious conditions for reasons I cannot fathom. And some are born to rise up despite the odds and pull others with them.
And we do this because we know deep down, that we are all connected and while life is awfully profane, life is beautiful and every life matters.
I think the alienation from our oneness is what allows for people to commit such horrendously selfish and unfeeling acts. I think this alienation works in more subtle ways too, like when we ignore the suffering of others because we are too focused on our own. Regardless, this oneness gives me strength, grants me hope, and puts fire into my heart. I'm inspired and grateful for the work you all do. I am also angry, intolerant, and ready to fight against our alienation and oppression.
We all have work to do to understand each other, to make sure that when we stand up for justice, we are standing up for the justice of all. We all have our roles to play and as we come together in compassion, understanding, and knowledge of one another’s goals, we will find success.
Blessed be.