Dear College of Education

Community,

An inspiring article by Jor-el Caraballo takes the position that self-care is a revolutionary act, especially for those who are experiencing racism, and for all who are marginalized and oppressed. According to Carabello, self-care “is really about physical and psychological self-preservation. Self-care is actually about doing what is necessary to stay as healthy as you can. Self-care is about maintaining a sense of mental wellness amidst huge societal ills and disease.” As we enter Pride month, self-preservation reminds the world of everyone’s rights to be accepted just as they are and to exist. Queer writer Audre Lorde’s quote about self-preservation states, “Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare.” In addition, in order for all of us to do the work needed to create a world where there is a safe and equitable place for everyone, self-care is essential. To quote activist April Reign, “…you cannot save your village, and you cannot save your family, if you are not saving yourself.”

To read more, go to  https://www.essence.com/feature/self-care-is-an-act-of-revolution-when-you-are-black/

For a list of self-care options, please see our COE self-care website for resources for faculty, staff, students, and the community at:

 https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care

Self-care is needed by so many for self-preservation and for the work that we all must do so that self-preservation is no longer needed.

Warmly,

Shari