Author: gracesmuggler

Image description: A statue of the Buddha, sitting. One palm rests on his leg and the other is lifted, facing us. This statue is in a forrest, and green and red leaves are in the background.

I serve as the Co-Director of the Interfaith Round Table of Washtenaw County, and in that role, I have the privilege of visiting many communities during their worship and times of spiritual practice. Due to our pandemic, most of these communities are not meeting in person but are using technological platforms to connect virtually. This week, I joined the Zen Buddhist Temple in Ann Arbor for their Sunday service.

I sat outside on my deck, stilled myself, connected with my body, and listened. I heard the sound of so many birds with their various calls. I heard neighbors multiple streets away using a weed eater and a leaf blower. I wondered… what’s the farthest sound I can hear right now?

When I asked that question, I heard birds chirping on the recording from the temple. Yes, those are across town and certainly the farthest away.

In all the upheaval of these days, it’s a great gift to simply sit still, check in with our bodies, and notice. When we slow down and notice, we can have greater pleasure and connection with all that’s around us.

–Renee Roederer

Today, I’d like to share some slides from two Instagram accounts which engage the intersections of race and disability. The first comes from @diversability, and the second comes from @strengthcenteredspeech. For those who are using screen readers, I will share the text below the images.

Slide by @diversibility, black background, white text:

Text: More than half of Black people with disabilities in the United States will be arrested by the time they reach their late 20s.

Research by Erin J. McCauley, Med. MA (2017)

Slide by @strengthcenteredspeech brown background, white, yellow, and pink text:

Disability-inclusive protest etiquette: a guide

#blacklivesmatter

Remember that many disabled people will not be able to attend protests due to their disability or associated risks, no matter how much they want to be there.

— Avoid saying things like:
“Just show up”
“the front lines are where the real work is done”
“Get off the couch and join us”
They are ableist, shaming, and unhelpful.

— There are many ways to be involved, such as organizing, donating time, money, sharing information, and doing daily and committed work. “Doing the work” is not unique to the front lines and does not start or end there.

— Some disabled people will be attending protests alongside you. Understand that you will not always know who they are, as many disabilities are invisible.

— Respect people’s space. Some may be distancing due to increased health risks. This is especially true during a pandemic. NEVER touch or crowd anyone who is walking off to the side or suggesting in any way they want space.

— Do not touch or help physically disabled people or their mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, etc.) unless they directly ask. And please don’t tell them you’re inspired by them — this is ableist and offensive.

— This is an absolute rule: never assume someone is “faking” if you see them in a wheelchair one minute and out the next. Many disabled people can walk, but due to the nature of their disability are required to use a wheelchair in certain contexts.

Contact organizers to help ensure protests are accessible before the event

Specific actions you can request include:

— encouraging each march to have a rally alternative for people to congregate

— checking in about access to ramps and restrooms, as well as interpreters

— If possible, providing mobility aids and a team devoted to disability access in case needs arrive last-minute

— ensuring that all organized protest language is anti-ableist

Accessibility should be built in, not tacked on.

Educate yourself: black disabled people should never be an afterthought, especially when it comes to police brutality.

— Disabled people make up between one third and one half of all people killed by police, according to multiple studies (including at 2016 study by the Ruderman Foundation). Black Americans with disabilities are even more at-risk. Few make headlines.

— This issue is CENTRAL to the black disabled community. Learn the names of black disabled victims of police violence. Advocate for measures that protect disabled people wherever you discuss police deescalation techniques or community alternatives to policing.

— Remember that ALL black lives matter. If you’re not concerned with the lives of all disabled people, you are not a part of the Black Lives Matter Movement.

Image Descriptions: Two pictures of a golden doodle resting his head on my leg. I’m wearing red and black plaid pajama pants.

I’ve had a little buddy with me this weekend. He’s my friend’s golden doodle pup, and I got to watch him last night. He’s a very cuddly friend, and I think we both enjoyed our time together.

I’ve noticed this about him:

He’s nearly always aware of me. He follows me around the house. He watches me. He lies at my feet. He explores the house, sniffing things, but then he looks at me here and there to anchor and orient himself.

It makes me wonder…

To what… to do I orient myself? What am I aware of? What’s in my consciousness? Who and what are my anchors? Who and what do I attune toward?

— Renee Roederer

Good morning, friends.

Yesterday, I posted a piece called Might We Consider Abolition? with slides from @conflicttransformation on Instagram. As I said in that piece, the Movement for Black Lives seeks more than police reforms. Many Black leaders within this movement are calling for abolition from the system of policing altogether. How might we dream other models for public safety? What if we could imagine something different — something more safe and non-militarized? Something that honors material and social needs? Something that is trauma-informed? Something that is restorative rather than punitive? Something that is transformative and liberating?

I know this is a new idea for many people. I’m still learning and growing in these questions myself.

I think two areas of concern often rise to the surface pretty immediately when people (especially white people) first encounter the concept of abolition from policing:

— How could this possibly work? What if — (insert a lot of scenarios)
— What are you saying about my loved one who works in law enforcement? What will happen to that person if — (insert a lot of scenarios)

Let me first echo the words of my friend, mentor, and colleague Dwight Wilson who has done a great deal of work to try to increase police oversight by the community: “We can do this peacefully and we can do it with love. Do not bring hatred to my table. I neither consume it nor pass it on to poison others.”

I am not interested in demonizing any individuals. We spend a lot of time trying to justify ourselves and our loved ones as good people. I do this sometimes too. As I’ve posted here recently, one form of racism in my own life and practice is my attempt to be One of the ‘Good Whites’. (If this sentence or link title upsets you, please read it first to understand what I’m saying and what kind of harm my mindset can do).

As I heard someone share this week, what point do we ask,

What do we need to do for society to be good?

Isn’t that the most pressing question?

In light of all these questions, I’d like to share this Twitter thread from Bridget Eileen (@travelingnun):

It begins with,

“Do you or somebody you know think that #AbolishThePolice is unrealistic? It might be because you haven’t taken the time to understand what it means, the reasons for it, and why it actually makes a lot of sense. [Thread]”

Please click here to read her whole thread on that topic. 

And this is being considered in practice. The Minneapolis City Council is considering measures to disband the Minneapolis Police Department (see this article). Council member Steve Fletcher says, “Several of us on the council are working on finding out what it would take to disband the Minneapolis Police Department and start fresh with a community-oriented, nonviolent public safety and outreach capacity.”

–Renee Roederer

This piece is the second of a two-part series. You can read the other post here:
Might We Consider Abolition? 

An important addendum (added 6/20/20)

I’d like to link to a piece by Amber Hughson, entitled But Actually Imagine Transformative Alternatives to Policing.

Amber Hughson is the creator of these flyers linked in the post, Might We Consider Abolition? . She has deep concerns about how they are being used and talked about in some circles. Sh wants us to do what the title to her piece says… actually imagine transformative alternatives to policing.

She asks us to do this and also share her piece if we’ve shared her flyers. I’m doing that here and in other places too.

The Movement for Black Lives seeks more than police reforms. Many Black leaders within this movement are calling for abolition from the system of policing altogether. How might we dream other models for public safety? What if we could imagine something different — something more safe and non-militarized? Something that honors material and social needs? Something that is trauma-informed? Something that is restorative rather than punitive? Something that is transformative and liberating?

Today, I want to share these images and questions from @conflicttransformation on Instagram. (Image Descriptions at the bottom of this post).

Does this seem impossible in your thinking? Let’s imagine…

Six Ideas of a Cop-Free World by José Martín
The Answer to Police Violence Is Not ‘Reform.’ It’s Defunding. Here’s Why by Alex S. Vitale

Image Descriptions:

Image 1: Black text on a periwinkle background reads, “You are experiencing a mental health crisis & afraid imagine… …you call +311 & a first responder trained in mental health comes to your door. 1 hour later, you are in a safe place with your consent, with plans for follow up care. isn’t that public safety?”

Image 2: Black text on an orange background reads, “Some folks are sleeping on benches in the park. Imagine… …a city employee comes by & checks in to see if they need a place to sleep, food, water, or health care. An hour later, those who want a different place to sleep have one. Isn’t that public safety?”

Image 3: Black text on a pinkish purple background reads: “You are experiencing intimate partner violence. Imagine… …texting a number & a trauma informed crisis intervention specialist meets you in a safe place. An hour later you are working together to make a plan that will keep you safe long term. isn’t that public safety?”

Image 4: Black text on a yellow background reads, “Someone is behaving erratically and is in harms way. Imagine… texting a number & an an unarmed urgent responder trained in behavioral and mental health comes within 5 minutes. An hour later that person is safe & getting the support they need. Isn’t that public safety?

Image 5: Black text on a blue background reads “Incidents of gun violence are rising in the neighborhood. Imagine… …a trauma informed crisis intervention team works with community activists to disarm and deescalate conflicts. People doing harm are connected to services that address the underlying problem. Isn’t that public safety?”

This post is the first of a two-part series. You can read the other post here:
Might We Consider Abolition? (In Practice, Part II)

An important addendum (added 6/20/20)

I’d like to link to a piece by Amber Hughson, entitled But Actually Imagine Transformative Alternatives to Policing.

Amber Hughson is the creator of these flyers, and she has deep concerns about how they are being used and talked about in some circles. She wants us to do what the title to her piece says… actually imagine transformative alternatives to policing.

She asks us to do this and also share her piece if we’ve shared her flyers. I’m doing that here and in other places too.

Image Description: A solid, black square.

In my Christian faith, the word confession is used in two ways:

1) It’s an occasion to name truthfully how we have sinned, hurt our neighbors, and fallen short of God’s calling for the life of the world,

and

2) it’s an occasion to proclaim what we believe.

White Christians, and I am among them, need to confess in both directions. 1) We are complicit in the systemic violence that harms our Black siblings and siblings of color.

and

2) Unequivocally, Black Lives Matter.

This is a proclamation we must affirm with our words, intentions, relationships, and actions. It shifts us; it calls us to take risks in love.

— Renee Roederer

Image Description: The word ‘Racism’ is written in black letters, a red circle is around it with a slash coming through it to cross it out.

Over the last day, I’ve been reflecting on a quote from Angela Davis:

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist — we must be anti-racist.”

Racism is pervasive, but it is in some ways taboo, even as it is expressed systemically and very overtly. And white people (I’m among them) often spend a lot of time trying to prove to ourselves and others that we are non-racist — not like “those people.”

But at the very same time, we may be doing very little to challenge, disrupt, and change this reality. We paste quotes of MLK over our social-media sites in times that are especially difficult but then become uncomfortable, radio silent, or actively resistant when people challenge, protest, and disrupt the systems of white supremacy — both within and beyond the legacy of MLK.

“In a racist society, it is not enough to be non-racist — we must be anti-racist.”
– Angela Y. Davis

–Renee Roederer

Last night, I had the privilege to attend the second in a series of webinars of the Virtual Summer Camp from Crip Camp. If you haven’t seen the new film Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution on Netflix, I highly recommend it. Did you know that a large number of the central leaders who fought for the formation of the signature Americans With Disabilities Act legislation met each other at a summer camp? I did not know that. Their years in relationship and community empowered them in transformative ways as they built a disability culture of inclusion. Their work has created substantive changes in the lives of disabled people.

Here’s the Trailer for Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution:

Last night’s webinar was about shifting internalized ableism. I offer some of the insights as a Mental Health Monday post, because ableism has been internalized inside all of us. Most significantly, it has devastating impacts upon disabled people. But whether you have a disability or not, you have likely internalized some of these messages. I hope it is freeing to you to question these internalized messages.

I’ll share some of those in a moment, but first, let’s talk about ableism. Internalized ableism exists because of a culture of externalized ableism. TL Lewis offers a powerful definition of ableism:

[Image of a black square with white writing in it that says: ABLEISM a·ble·ism \ ˈābə-ˌli-zəm \ noun A system that places value on people’s bodies and minds based on societally constructed ideas of normalcy, intelligence and excellence. These constructed ideas of normalcy, intelligence and excellence are deeply rooted in anti-Blackness, eugenics and capitalism. This form of systemic oppression leads to people and society determining who is valuable or worthy based on people’s appearance and/or their ability to satisfactorily produce, excel & “behave.” Importantly, you do not have to be disabled to experience ableism. a working definition by Talila “TL” Lewis]

We see here that in many ways, ableism and racism are linked, as are other forms of oppression.

Here are some messages of internalized ableism, offered by the leaders of last night’s Crip Camp webinar. How might we feel if we shift these inside ourselves? How might we feel if we help dismantle the relational and systematic impacts of these messages?

Some messages of Internalized Ableism:

1) I feel like I need to work to be worthwhile.

2) I am a “burden” due to my needs.

3) I can “cure” my illness or disability by trying hard enough/eating a specific diet/working out.

4) I need to make other people feel comfortable with my disabilities by being extra nice/funny/accommodating.

5) I should not ask my household members to take precautions in pandemic, even though I am at risk and feel frightened.

6) Sometimes I feel like my life is less valued than able-bodied or able-minded people.

Questions for reflection

— Do any of these resonate? What else might you add?

— How can we love our body-minds precisely as they are? How can we shift messages of internalized ableism into messages of greater hope and empowerment?

— How do these messages impact our wider communities? How do they do harm to disabled people, Black people, Indigenous people, people of color, people who are LGBTQIA+, and others?

— How can intersectional movements uproot oppression in powerful ways?

—Renee Roederer

Image Description: Silhouettes of people walking along a beach while the sun rises ahead in the distance.

On Pentecost morning,
I walked toward a red, fiery sun.
There she was, right on time:
5:57am.
Not a moment sooner or later.

Precise
and
Dependable.

Astonishing
and
thoroughly
Surprising.

Each day,
she lifts herself upward,
responsible and resplendent,
constant and confounding,
the same
daily disclosure
of a marvelous miracle.

Each appearance new and particular,
Each arrival common and original,
she
with us,
on our plane –
the horizon of our wonder.

Here is a story both old and new:

Before he died,
one of my most Beloved People
spoke this saying to me all the time:

“Now remember well,
and bear in mind,
that a jaybird’s tail sticks out behind.”

If I looked confused,
he would say,

“There are some things
you can always count on.”

Amidst the torrents of trauma,
Alongside the presence of pain,
exist
Beauty and
Relationships and
Sacred Love
that can be trusted.
that can be expected.

We watch them rise.
Even daily, we marvel with them.

Right on time,
they are Sacred Flame,
they are Holy Tongues,
they are Mighty Words,
they are Spirit Breath.

They are Pentecost –
at once
completely mundane,
completely miraculous.

–Renee Roederer

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