[I began this blog in spring of 2014, just prior to my June 2014 graduation .... Rather than delete this writing, I decided to post it now in fall of 2016]
I am finishing up a degree in Human Services with a certificate in Chemical Dependency. I have had the privilege to take a myriad of classes on various subjects that have opened my eyes to many realities that I probably, otherwise, would not have bothered exploring.
Knowledge is power; this is true. Knowledge puffs up; this is also truth, as I see so many people with so much knowledge and very little wisdom and revelation as to how to activate and effectually implement the knowledge they hold.
Currently, I am taking a class on pluralism, i.e., diversity.
The emphasis is on cultural competency in order to better assist those I will be working with in the human services and substance use fields. Our classes are always broken down and placed in various groups and given specific topics to investigate upon and report back to the class more specific detail.
One group has presented on African American, one on Latino Americans and my group presented on Native Americans.
To say that being a part of this class is easy would be inaccurate. Being a part of this class and discussing the marginalization of various cultures of people has been heart wrenching for me on multiple levels. To come face to face with the reality of the colonization of American by Europeans back in the days of the Pilgrims and all the history and stories I learned growing up in early education, has caused me to realize today, that history is a social construct and has not been accurately portrayed in the status quo history books.
One of the most diverse locations within the whole United States is within Washington State zip code 98118 - Federal Way. Here there are 59 specific ethnic groups residing with numerous languages spoken and cultures being lived out. Amazing!! [In October 2015, my husband and I were graced with the privilege of living for 3 months within this very diverse zip code and I was able to see, first hand, the truth of its diversity .... and while this season was meant to be longer than 3 months, I am grateful for the season we were given]
Reviewing the past; how African American's were treated in our county -- how Latinos are being treated in our country and the ones I am most partial to: Native Americans ... White privilege; white European, Anglo-Saxon men and women who have dehumanized other cultures in order to force assimilation into the "American Way" grieves and sickens me to no end.
Realizing that most are not and do not wish to be educated in this atrocity grieves my heart even more. Is 'our' way the RIGHT way? Why are we so fearful of other cultures and their people? Why do we pompously and arrogantly insist for immigration purposes that these people coming into our country, that was designed to be a place of refuge, purge their culture and assume our ways of living?
I know that I will not find an answer to my questions. And this is a rabbit hole far too deep for me to traverse at this moment. But my desire is to bring awareness and cause people to awaken to the truth and reality of the privileges white people have been afforded to the demise of those who were here first: Native Americans .... and those who came after: African American's, Latinos, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Arabs, even people with disabilities ...
As a woman, I am a marginalized people - I will make 77% of what a white male would make doing the very same job -- A spokesman for the White House recently boasted that women working within the US Government were now making 88% of what their male counterparts were making - REALLY?
Women were only allowed to become their own citizens and vote August 18, 1920. At the founding of our country, women were not entitled to be considered human, but to be their husbands property and have limited rights, never equal with the male gender.
I want to see change - not blame; I want to see solutions - not more talk; I want to see people become educated -- and rise up to confront the inequities that are propagated within this country and its diverse populations. For now, I finish and complete my education and learn how I can make a difference on topic of this subject.
