Dear Fellow white People,

Our Political Ignorance is Dangerous.

The intention of the following article is to share my own experience as a woman who possesses white skin color. My hope is that, through my journey, you will feel a sense of support and encouragement for your own.

Until recently, I’ve exercised a strong strategy of political avoidance. With my conflict-avoidant personality, the reluctance to formulate and express well-research opinions was my go-to. I saw the political atmosphere as one of drama and theatrics that I simply did not want to be a part of. Why allow negative feelings to ruin my chi? OKAY.

I was quite content in my bubble of positivity and pseudo-spiritual beliefs. Essentially, we are all one, the world is an illusion and none of this really matters in the end — content to live a life of blissful ignorance.

I look back at this view and recognize the fear of confrontation and disapproval held me back from intellectual (and spiritual) growth. I’ve discovered the importance of political education and will no longer remain in the shadows of the world.

By no means am I an expert in politics, but I am slowly educating myself and it feels awakening to emerge from my muddy pit of avoidance towards an identification as a global citizen. On that note, I’d like to share the lessons I continue to learn along the way. My intention is to support others in their journey towards societal contribution — regardless of their views.

Lesson 1: Silence is a privilege.

My choice is to avoid conflict, ignore challenges, and reject the political atmosphere that sits at the intersection between white privilege and female oppression. As a woman, I’ve learned that to smile and look pretty and as a white person, I’m afforded the privilege to do just that.

I have no idea what it is like to step outside of my house in fear of the police nor do I know the experience of avoidance on the street. Tokenization is not a phenomenon I have to face and the gender of my romantic partners are not condemned. I could go on, but I think you get the point.

In my mind, I believe in liberation and justice of all, but my actions and unconscious compliance tell a different story. In essence, I’ve been a walking contradiction. For my brothers, sisters, and others, I’ve lived as a coward. It’s time to change that.

Individuals who actively fight for their lives do not possess do not have the option to remain silent. They scream for their lives while buried under shards of glass. Those of us with privilege must pull them up. We must be willing to reach into the pits of their pain and scream with them. Our choice of comfort and safety leaves them bleeding out. If we remain silent, their blood is on our hands.

Thus, for those with muzzles on their mouths, I will speak — as much as I’d prefer to avoid conflict, I’ve been born into this body for a reason. If I do not engage then I choose weakness instead of power. No longer will I be silent. No longer will no longer take my duty for granted.

Lesson 2: I lived in a bubble.

My avoidance of global affairs was easy. I surrounded myself with people with a similar disposition and labeled those who challenged me as bullies. I distinctly remember blocking two people on Facebook who called me out on my political ignorance. I didn’t like it. My fragile ego couldn’t handle the truth.

This bubble allowed me to believe that I could live a life untouched by the injustices of the world. However, when I chose to attend the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco for my Ph.D. everything changed. Suddenly, I found myself at a hub of inspired thought and social justice.

In the East-West Psychology program, my patterns were challenged through psychological courses and conversations with peers. In the safe container provided, I could finally hear opposing views. With the decision to open my eyes to the realities of the world, I began to understand my role in this global community.

Stepping into this position of leadership, I discovered my gravitation towards white scholars who lacked an intersectional approach to the world. I became concerned with my own pursuits.

What is a feminist who only fills her mind with views similar to her own? A coward. This is problematic. Through this experience, I felt an urgency to become more involved in the news and began to listen to podcasts. How can I impact the world if I am unable to see beyond my own viewpoint?

Lesson 3: My voice is important.

One of my fear-based beliefs is that I am unable to change things in the world so why try? I am a mere speck of dust in the Universe. Why would I spend energy dedicated to changing the world?

I believe this is the lie that propaganda sources want us to believe. We are flooded with biased information and news sources and left with a feeling of hopelessness. What better way to silence the people than to convince them that their voice doesn’t matter?

The truth, however, is that every voice possesses a strong implication towards change. My individual impact incites a ripple effect. We see this in demonstrations led by dictators and social justice advocates alike.

Through the use of connection and desire for community, we have the option to call our network to action. An engagement with a singular person creates a powerful moment of leadership. How we choose to lead is determined by our intention and willingness to make a change.

Lesson 4: News sources matter.

When I began my mission towards political awakening, I found myself overwhelmed by the sheer amount of information circulating in the world. At first, I joined as many news outlets as possible.

I subscribed to podcasts, e-mail lists, and watching television. What happened when I did this? I fell into a hole of depression. Again, that looming feeling of helplessness is one of the primary reasons for inaction. The depression of it all led me to believe that it was too little too late. What could I do?

Once I climbed out of this self-indulgent state of existential crisis, I discovered the brilliance of NPR. My previous assumption of NPR, thanks to pop culture, was one of boredom so I avoided this style of programming like the plague (pun intended).

However, what I discovered in the podcast Up First, led me towards global consciousness. What began as a daily listening 6 months ago has now evolved into heightened global awareness. I find myself searching other sources of information such as CNN, Reuters, and many other neutral sources.

The importance of these sources remains in their capacity to provide news that is as untainted by political agenda as possible. I’d be ignorant to claim that there is such thing as an objective news source, but I admire the capacity for reporters who strive to leave their subjective opinions at the door.

I also find a great deal of importance in listening to information that is oppositional to my own beliefs. As a progressive, I often will purposely absorb far-right views in order to gain a greater understanding of the atmosphere. If my ultimate goal is unity in our collective, then I sure as hell better understand it.

The most important lesson I’ve learned throughout this journey is that politics remain the bedrock of society. Although they tend to occupy outlandish circus-like proportions, they are a fundamental key to our growth as a species. To foster change we have to climb into the ring because in times like these ignorance is dangerous.

As I continue to move forward in this journey, I will do my best to fearlessly speak up for what I believe. Are you with me?