Radical Compassion Centered Social Justice

Last updated on: November 10, 2015 at 12:59 pm by Peter Dybing

Radical Compassion Centered Social Justice 2015-11-10T12:59:27-06:00 Peter Dybing

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Many within our CUUPS community spend a considerable amount of time fighting for Social Justice issues. These efforts clearly reflect our principles as part of the greater UUA Community. What is not always as clear is how effective these efforts are. Matters of personal responsibility and culpability stir great passion and animated debate not to mention defensiveness and retreat into a place where individual worldviews are not challenged.

As a white male fighting for these causes it is incumbent upon me to measure my actions, insure that I am speaking up but not over the voices of those who directly experience oppression in our collective culture.

Individuals who directly experience oppression have every right, maybe even an obligation, to speak forcefully and directly, calling out the oppressive actions and attitudes that they experience. Doing so as an ally, however, often just causes an un-needed escalation that causes distrust, hurt feelings and little in terms of progress in important social justice actions.

When we direct words like racism, white privilege and sexism towards individuals we effectively establish ourselves as individuals willing to label a human being. My argument here is not that the label does not fit, but that if those labeled as such do not see themselves as represented by the label our ability to engage in changing views and behaviors is shut down due to the defensiveness caused by our verbiage.

What I am suggesting is that we take compassion-centered approach, as members of the dominant culture all of us have had to confront our beliefs and evolve to a deeper place of understanding and compassion. In what way then is it appropriate to engage in name calling and labeling of individuals who have yet to arrive at a more inclusive worldview? Is it not our job instead to engage them with compassion, directly discuss our concerns about their views in a way that will be heard avoiding escalation that ends open discussion?

For me compassion is the centerpiece of effective radical social justice. If we engage in “calling people in” too compassion based discussion instead of “calling them out” for unacceptable beliefs are we not being more effective in our social justice work?

For me this approach means using story telling skills about oppression that have the potential of opening the eyes of those listening. It also means direct and ongoing engagement in social justice causes, manifesting a center place where open discussion is not shut down by name-calling or hyperbole.

The majority of racism and discrimination that we encounter is perpetuated by individuals engaging in “adverse” racism. By definition these people have no insight into the racist undertones of their opinions. Painting them with the same brush as the overt bigot only further entrenches their beliefs.

As CUUPS members we can choose a more effective and compassion centered approach; let us set the table of discourse with the language of compassion in the hope of effectiveness and the desire to reflect our belief in the dignity of everyone.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

September 30, 2015

I am guilty of Cultural Appropriation!

Next Post

October 11, 2015 CUUPS, Interfaith and the 6th Principle

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 2016 election Activisim America American Pride Antifa Antifa Fire Chief Black Lives Matter Dallas Violence Democratic left Homeless Denver Homophobia July Fourth Orlando Violence Peter Dybing Social Justice TERF Transgender rights Trauma Uncategorized

Select a Month September 2017 February 2017 January 2017 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 March 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 May 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What kind of bird did Noah send out second from the ark?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Dove Owl Eagle Pidgeon