the path to healing is not linear

“Loretta Ross teaches us that, 'When people think the same idea and move in the same direction, that’s a cult. When people think many different ideas and move in one direction, that’s a movement!'"
― Adrienne Maree Brown

It is important to know and understand the source of racism and how it is so deeply intertwined in our lives. It is centuries in the creation and implementation, and has been supported by court decisions, Jim Crow laws, local ordinances promoting segregation in our communities, and the list goes on. 

Minnijean Brown Trickey, one of the nine African American students who collectively resisted the opposition to the desegregation of Little Rock Central High School in 1957—an act of great historical importance, addresses the issue:

“Did we create slavery? No, we did not. But we are the beneficiaries of the wealth creation made by persons who worked uncompensated for centuries. Did we declare war on the indigenous peoples? No, we did not, but we live on the land we took from them and use its natural resources, while many of their descendants live in abject poverty on reservations.” 

White privilege has been built on the belief that Black and Indigenous People of Colour are inferior and unfit to associate with the white race—this needs to be acknowledged to start healing. Understanding that this belief has been passed down through generations of families, government, institutions, segregation, mass incarceration, poverty, unequal education, and a lack of trust with police and other officials only begins to scratch the surface.

We must know and understand our painful history in order to change the trajectory of our future, to stop repeating it, and to break the cycle of systemic racism.

It is only through LISTENING, sharing, educating ourselves and others, teaching, and creating accountability around implementing changes that we can begin to heal. 

As allies, be mindful of using “us” and “them” because if they are them and we are us, we become saviors, not allies. Instead, frame the work around the idea of “If others are not free, then I am not free.”

Remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. This requires daily work to create impactful change, right down to the very language we use. Words have power, so use them accordingly as you shift your own internal dialogue. 

We are grateful for your commitment to do this work with us and are excited to celebrate the small and large victories with you as you implement change as theatre companies, artists, and patrons. 

Let’s get started!