Buddhists For Racial Justice

[Troy]

There is a lot of work that White people need to do around privilege and recognizing the racism which exists and they have benefited from even if they have not actively taken part in racist acts. The first section of the “Call to White Buddhists” addresses issue. This type of self-education is a critical first step for most white people, so that we are more prepared in everyday life to address racism as it exists.

I am with Shoka on this.

[Kyonin]

Hi guys.

It's funny but I have been thinking a lot about justice lately because I have heard and read a lot of people claiming for it all over the planet. But my question is, why is it that justices is always claimed when someone wants it to work for him?

Most of us would ask for a life with justice, but only up to the point where it's a service for us. It's pretty hard to find someone who actually lives and practices justice for herself and for others. At the end of the day I think that's the point of justice, isn't it? It should work all ways, for all sentient beings with no difference what so ever.

But like Jundo says, we have to live with the fact that there are differences but at the same time, we should work together to end all differences. It's kind of a endless road because as long as there are personal interests involved, justice may never come.

One can dream and work a day at a time.

Gassho,

Kyonin
#SatToday

[Byokan]

Hi All,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, comments and questions, it’s a great discussion. Shoka is right, white folks (or any powerful, oppressive group in any given situation) need to learn first about the privilege they benefit from, and the costs of that privilege.

I took a few courses in college on these subjects, and well do I remember how my young mind, which I thought was so open and inclusive, was blown as I learned how deeply ingrained prejudice is. Even someone with the most loving heart and best intentions can hold so many assumptions and prejudices. I remember on the first day, the teacher talking to us about “flesh-colored” band-aids and crayons. Little things, that I had never given a thought to, suddenly carried a lot more meaning. I remember once starting to say something in class about how all people want the same things: to take care of their loved-ones, have their basic needs met, live without fear, etc. A girl stood up and pointed at me and said, “You’re just one of those white people that wants black people to like you!”. And -- crack! -- instantly the room split into factions, and erupted into shouting and name-calling and accusations. There was anger, pain and suffering all around.

I think the subject of race and oppression is tender and painful for all who look deeply, whichever “side” they are on. We’re all more comfortable with those who we perceive to be similar to ourselves on some level. So breaking into groups with similar people for discussion can make it feel safer to speak freely. Bringing these issues out into the light of day is essential.

It’s not just evil people or ignorant people who have prejudices and oppress others. I think we all do to some extent. Just like in our Precept study, where we talk about how impossible it is to live without killing, it also seems impossible to live now without somehow taking part in, or benefitting from, or being a victim of, oppression in some way. Or all three at once. It’s not always overt and obvious.

Does Buddhism have anything to do with social justice? I think it does, in the context of the Bodhisattva vow. Looking within to gain understanding, and then reaching out to help others do the same and heal the divisions as we can.

Gassho
Lisa
sat today

p.s. The EBMC is interesting. They actively recruit people for diversity. They do not focus on a specific tradition, but practice a general Mindfulness meditation. Here’s a video of Sangha members talking about it. (There is a bit of fundraising at the end.) What Jundo says about the possibility of creating differences is something I’ve wondered about before, when we talk about making more subgroups on Treeleaf. I don’t know what the answer is. I love it that we’re all in one big room here, and I think it’s good practice, but some might feel more comfortable and free in smaller groups with similarities or shared interests.

https://vimeo.com/10710454

[Myosha]

Hello,

Dogen zenji says,

Understanding the value of the Way is not “one” or “two”. There is no “self” that can receive something from some “other”, but for the moment let us talk in terms of “one” or “two”. If we value the Teachings we can learn from a post, a lantern, all Buddhas, a fox, a demon, a man or a woman.

Dharma (Truth) is what it is. It has no agenda. People either accept it, or will prefer to listen mindlessly to lies.


Gassho
silly Myosha sat today

[Ugrok]

Thanks a lot for the discussion !

The problem i see as well in those discussions is that what is assumed is a racial vision of the world. Here in France (i mention it because i'm conscious it's a specific cultural background), it is my impression that someone who talks about "POC" or "persons of colours" would instantly be considered racist. Heck, in France, nobody would even think about talking about "races" to talk about human beings in the first place - the word "race" was maybe used until the 19th century but is never used to talk about people. Someone who happens to use this kind of vocbulary on the radio or on tv would instantly be judged as profoundly racist. It's very interesting to see that our cultural answers to such things are completely conditioned, i guess. Which is specifically why i wonder how buddhism can have to do anything with "justice". "Justice" is completely conditioned, where buddhism is something completely universal.

Gassho,

Ugrok

Sat Today

[Jundo]

Our Sangha will continue to strive to attract and make welcome people of all backgrounds and groups. It is important not to exclude anyone, or make them feel unwelcome.

Gassho, J

SatToday

PS - A slightly less important question ...

Why doesn't our Sangha have videos of this quality? Along with attracting various underrepresented social groups to this Community, we have to pull in more film-makers!

[Byrne]

Thanks a lot for the discussion !

The problem i see as well in those discussions is that what is assumed is a racial vision of the world. Here in France (i mention it because i'm conscious it's a specific cultural background), it is my impression that someone who talks about "POC" or "persons of colours" would instantly be considered racist. Heck, in France, nobody would even think about talking about "races" to talk about human beings in the first place - the word "race" was maybe used until the 19th century but is never used to talk about people. Someone who happens to use this kind of vocbulary on the radio or on tv would instantly be judged as profoundly racist. It's very interesting to see that our cultural answers to such things are completely conditioned, i guess. Which is specifically why i wonder how buddhism can have to do anything with "justice". "Justice" is completely conditioned, where buddhism is something completely universal.

Gassho,

Ugrok

Sat Today

That's interesting Ugrok. I was talking to an old friend of mine who lives in Lyon and is married to a French woman. They have two children together and he is Korean. From his perspective his mixed children are not accepted by the culture where he is and prefer to keep race "pure". That's his perspective at least. But on the other hand it is well known that many many many great black jazz musicians gravitates heavily to France because they did not experience the racism they faced in the U.S.

Identity politics is a big thing in the U.S. On one hand it can help bring awareness and acceptance towards under represented groups and offer perspective that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. On the other, it can go too far and people can be unfairly boiled down to just their physical bodies or sexual orientations without all the other more important things that make one a complete person.

Perspectives vary widely and we all have to address our perspectives because our perspectives are also our illusions to be dropped. But we can't suppress them or deny the perspectives of others if we are to really be a supportive world sangha, Buddhist or not.

I live in South Carolina and it was announced today that the Confederate Flag is coming down from the statehouse in the Capitol. I was over there last Saturday to celebrate America's birthday and to rally to get it down. Al Jazeera covered it and has my wife singing the national anthem with a large crowd of folks turning their backs to the stars and bars. The KKK actually has a rally to keep it up scheduled for the 18th, but I guess they may have to cancel. Good thing. South Carolina is so much better than that, no matter what bullshit you may have heard. (Which is probably accurate bullshit, but still not the whole picture)

Gassho

Sat Today

[karenmeandering]

Just wanted to acknowledge and give thanks for this conversation.
sunbeams,
Karen, sat today

[Ugrok]

Ahaha, i just read that discussion again, opened the book Jundo recommended about Sawaki's teachings, and here's what i found :

"If we don't understand differences, we're foolish ; if we're caught up in differences, we're mediocre human beings trapped by our wordly judgements". (Kodo Sawaki)

Gassho,

Ugrok

Sat Today

[Myosha]

"If we don't understand differences, we're foolish ; if we're caught up in differences, we're mediocre human beings trapped by our wordly judgements". (Kodo Sawaki)

Amen


Gassho
foolish Myosha sat today

[Troy]

Buddhists For Racial Justice

Ben Ferguson seems like a decent guy but in my opinion, he does not understand the differences. The difference between individual bigotry and systemic racism. Understanding comes before the healing. This video is specific to racism in American culture. I really do not know what it is like in other countries.

http://live.huffingtonpost.com/r/segment/being-white-in-philly/5148ef702b8c2a28d2000143

..sat2day•合掌

[Jeremy]

...he does not understand the differences. The difference between individual bigotry and systemic racism. Understanding comes before the healing.

Agreed. I think a failure to understand that racism and other prejudice is a systemic problem is very common...


Painting with a very broad brush, the way I see it is that the Buddha's message is about suffering, but it's more about personal suffering than social suffering. It locates the problem, the causes and the cure for suffering in the individual rather than in society.

For the opposite theoretical view, it's interesting to look at e.g. Marx's view of the causes and the cure for human suffering, which is thoroughly social - oppression and class-struggle are prominent. I'm not suggesting that one is right and the other wrong, but that it's illuminating to look at suffering from a number of perspectives.

Moving on to social inequality in general, including issues of ethnicity and 'race', sexuality and gender, etc., I'd suggest that a sociological approach is more likely to be illuminating than a dharma-based approach. Pick up an introductory textbook on sociology and be prepared to be illuminated! Seriously, if you've never done it, do it If there's a section on Poverty as well, then take a look!

Of course, modern Buddhists can and do take what the Buddha said and mix it up with a modern world view to make something conditioned by our own times. Hence people like David Loy, and no doubt many others I haven't come across yet.

Gassho
Jeremy
Will Sit Later

[RichardH]

Being a white male in the calmer part of North America, I have the privilege of race blindness (or a pretense of it). At 5'9" there is no reminder of tall or short, and never having to think about it. I can't pretend to know what it is like to be a "POC" and have to acknowledge that first.

Gassho
Daizan

sat today

[lorax]

Hi, while I sat with this for several days it seems that this thread has stalled out. Not surprised since it is such an uncomfortable subject. It forces us to look carefully at ourselves, people of color or white, we are all part of this terrible web. There is nowhere to hide. We cannot say"I do not see race", "we are not racist", we do and we are if simply through non action. As Buddhist practitioners we can take action if simply through living by the precepts and recognizing and interacting with all people as individuals. Please do not let this thread die in your minds. Each of us can make a difference. Fifty years ago my new bride and I could not get service at a restaurant in Sanderson Texas; in fact our marriage was still illegal in Texas. Step by step things change but we cannot sit on our zafus and say I do not need to be involved. We do, each of us, every day.
Peace
SAT TODAY

[Myosha]

Hello,

Betty Shabazz ( Malcolm X's widow ) lectured: "there is only one race - human. Everything else is anthropological grouping."

Human beings recently (150,000 y.) left Africa to populate the planet. Under the skin we're all African. (Thank you Charlize Theron!)

Wink at an ugly person.


Gassho
Myosha sat today