True Equality for Every Human Being

[Diana]

Social identity comes from the yellow ray. Not understanding or rejecting the social identity of others constitutes as a yellow ray blockage within the self. Sure, it might be a reflection of their blockages that you pick up upon, but a healthy, crystallized yellow ray is often supported by "identity" words. I don't believe that removing all forms of identity is the proper way to balance the yellow ray. One must still understand/accept/integrate themselves into society. Please understand that by default, it is easier for a white, Christian, American male, than for a black, trans, Haitian women who wants to be recognized as equal.

I want to be clear that while I promote the idea of not labeling, that does not mean I reject or misunderstand the social identity of others. And I do realize the above was not pointed at me, yet I wanted to address the idea.

We are all at different places in a path. If an individual is at the point where the best way to empower herself—being recognized as equal—is to identify with a a label, that is fine. It may give her the strength she needs, but it won't change anyone else's opinion—humans will still be racist.

Also, it is absolutely true that being a white, Christian, American male is "at the top of the food chain" and therefore certain aspects of life are easier. But it must be added here, that everyone has challenges. Those challenges are not always centered on race, religion, gender, or sexual preference. There are many types of pain.

There are so many people who are doing good, hard, legitimate work in the yellow-ray sphere. Eliminating the use of words that bother us is not aiding their efforts. We must recognize that we treat others different because of these labels, then we can address the use of language. Just eliminating the words doesn't mean that racism and sexism are going to go away. Plus, those who are the most racist and sexist will never stop using hateful terminology, so we're going to get halfway there and then create more separation. When I hear words like man, black, Muslim, I do not think of it as separation! I think what a beautiful and colorful planet we have with unique facets of the Creator! I also think about all the work we have yet before us to integrate our society into a social memory complex. I wish it were this easy, but this is just an attempt to put the responsibility of what everyone recognizes as a problem onto others. If a black person decides to stop seeing themselves as black, that doesn't stop random racists from calling them a racial slur.

The above is very practical. I feel, Jade, that you are a wanderer who is in the trenches, really dealing with where humanity is and working with it at the ground level. For humanity to evolve past separation, there are many steps that apparently need to taken, such as advocacy, laws to protect certain groups of people, etc. For these steps it seems labels are efficacious.

When I hear words like man, black, Muslim, I do feel something of what is described above about diversity, but I also feel the restriction of the identifiers. I don't shrug either responsibility or accountability, but my tendency is to be more visionary. I do struggle with how much to get involved. But I can say this: In any way I can I exemplify the idea of equality—not because I have to try but because of who I am—not only of humans but all species and life forms. And I have done this in my work as well as my life. I don't say any of this in defense of my way of living, rather I say this to present a different way of handling the issues.

As an aside, if people are sheltered from this still happening: My friend has three grandchildren who are of mixed race. Just two days ago, their neighbor called them "n-s" and "monkeys". Three children under the age of 7. This might have been the first time any of them even conceptualized what their race was, and it was external. Does this practical advice actually work in application - as in, those who are causing pain through separation, are they going to be adopters of this "we are all one" vision? Does telling the children that "race doesn't exist" eliminate the pain and trauma from this event? Do you think that if she came to me specifically and expressed her pain, and my response was, "Well, race doesn't exist so racism doesn't either because it is a human construct" - do you think that she would come back to me next time she was in pain? In direct application, is this the most empathetic way to heal?

I don't think anyone would suggest such a response to your friend. That is not, in my opinion, what getting rid of labels is about. What you describe is denial.

And, to address the idea of healing: None of us can take away someone else's pain or path to learning. In trying to do so, it dishonors another's choices—and this I find to be one of the most difficult things about being here. We can be supportive, a source of acceptance and comfort, but when it comes to humans who are making choices, they must heal themselves. I don't mean to sound dismissive or cold, but I just don't think it's possible to heal others without there first being the desire from them, and cooperation, to be healed. In unconditionally accepting the person in need of healing, what I think might happen is that they are then capable of accepting themselves without a defense of who they are and where they are at, and in this the possibility of healing is opened up, and that in my opinion is how we help others heal.

To step out of the human drama for a moment in part, you, Jade, have exemplified the above idea in spades, by singing to the lambs. The lambs don't have choice, so you support them in their pain and suffering in the very highest and loving way, without interfering with the human drama, and also by doing this I think you help create healing energy for the humans involved with the slaughter. I could not possibly express the extent of my admiration for this service.

As far as the children go, it's sad. But you can't shelter children from the hate and human mess in this world. If labels help to empower them, great. But if I were the grandmother or mother, I would model that empowerment by not being affected and brushing it off as stupidity, rather than making it into a huge drama. That is not to say I would dismiss the children's pain, I would validate that, but I wouldn't feel sorry for them as though they are victims. I would just try to put it into a perspective that does not include victimhood and make an identity out of it. The deeper the emotional content the deeper it gets embedded in the subconscious mind.

I am not talking out of ignorance, being that I am a white, American female. Looking back on my own life, which included an extremely challenging childhood, I can see how identifying with the problem and feeling like a victim can create separation and a lifelong belief system which is a role only, taken on and identified with. And even though consciously overridden, the underpinnings are difficult to change. The human brain is well equipped with a defense mechanism that encapsulates and deeply buries childhood traumas. That's why I suggest not making a big deal of painful childhood experiences such as your example with the children.