Why Are We Letting Fiction Rule Us?

Hello friends,

Something a bit different today…

I sometimes think about the fact that back when racism first became a thing, Europeans’ ancestors knew a lot less about the makeup of humans than we know now. They didn’t know how similar we all are under the skin. This does not excuse what they did, of course, but it’s a fact.

What’s also a fact is that we know now that we are 99.9% similar - all of us on the planet.

We KNOW!

So why are we still letting outdated ideas about external differences dictate how we treat each other? Continuing to treat people poorly and discriminate based on skin colour, gender, sexuality or ability makes no sense.

You know what else we all know now (or certainly should)? It’s something that Indigenous peoples around the world always knew. That if we look after our planet, which is effectively our habitat, it will look after us. And if we don’t; well, the consequences of doing the opposite are evident every single day.

We know better, so why don’t we DO better?

There is little point in continuing down the path of destruction while in pursuit of money. All the cash in the world won’t help us if the planet burns or drowns.

At Mission Equality, we ask a lot of “what if” questions? And one of them is what would happen if we didn’t have to unite around particular identities just to advocate for our needs or fight oppression? What would happen if our skin colour, gender, sexuality and ability were facts of life and we were able to get our needs met as of right?

If you’re struggling to imagine it, it’s because white supremacy and capitalism have done a number on all of us. I know a healthier alternative has to be possible, otherwise I wouldn’t keep going, but sometimes it’s hard to foresee.

What I do know, though, is that getting to an equal world, and putting this pain and oppression behind us, means taking responsibility for change as individuals - changing our thoughts and actions to eliminate racism and discrimination where we are - and living holistically, which means caring for our planet rather than extracting from it to extinction.

I think the reward of saving our humanity and our home is reason enough to do this.

What do you think?

Thanks for reading

Sharon

P.S. If you want to explore what leading differently to achieve a more equal future looks like, check out Mission Equality’s Mx of Equality. The current cohort are already showing up differently to take action for change!

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© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Cover photo courtesy of Canva.

I am an anti-racism educator and activist, Co-Founder of Mission Equality, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.