Dear MDECOE community,
In the last week we have experienced a marathon of emotions as we watched the modern day lynching of George Floyd by a public servant who were meant to protect, not harm. COVID-19 has become the magnifying glass to witnessing the ongoing racial injustices and violence against Black people with the endorsement of leaders in America. As we watch these institutionalized injustices and the resulting protests, our emotions are pouring out-anger, despair, righteous indignation, hopelessness, and most of all, pain. Mindfulness is about being fully present with how we are feeling, no matter what it is. Stephanie Domet and Heather Hurlock further state that mindfulness teaches us how to stop and listen, allows us to work with our own conditionings and implicit biases, and is necessary for the difficult conversations that need to happen right now. Please see their article below.
https://www.mindful.org/how-your-mindfulness-practice-can-support-the-world-right-now/
and a link to a number of other resources to further understanding racism in America., especially toward our Black community.
Please continue to look at our self-care website for additional resources at https://www.csun.edu/eisner-education/self-care/articles-information-self-care
As hard as it is, I encourage us to be fully present to the pain around us. Being present can then inform us on what to do next.
With deep compassion,
Shari and Josh