Where I am on the anti-racism journey (a JEDI statement)

Dear reader,

My point of departure on the anti-racism journey was acknowledgement of my White privilege. I learned in the spring of 2020 that I had been unknowingly using my Jewishness as a cover for my Whiteness. In the past I had let myself off the hook intellectually, because I thought, “I’m White, but not like those White people, because I’m Jewish.”

Next, I learned a lesson about centring Whiteness and myself:

Tweet explaining the importance of being anti-racist

Didi Delgado said it’s not about the individual. “Anti-racism work isn’t about changing the minds of racists. It’s about changing the environments that allow them to practice their racism freely.”

At this time, I am firmly in the awareness and analysis phases of the anti-racism journey. I am taking small actions for the time being, with my main focus on teachings and accountability from Black and Indigenous anti-racism educators whom I pay for their work.

As far as diversity, equity and inclusion goes in this space (on my website and in my work), here is my working statement as of 21 September 2020:

I am committed to learning and taking direction toward action and accountability from the anti-racist educators and community with whom I am learning.

I am committed to being uncomfortable, which means initiating difficult 1:1 conversations when I see harm done in my communities.

Embracing discomfort also means I am committed to receiving feedback and giving a full hearing to clients, friends, colleagues and community members who see my privilege in action or see me causing harm and want to call me into dialogue about it, and to determining in dialogue what reparation is needed.

I include in this journey the wider awareness of, and action to address, social justice as a whole. I acknowledge that my efforts to address systems of oppression and my White supremacy and privilege will be imperfect, and I am open to dialogue as above as I strive to address sexism (including diet culture and rape culture), heterosexism, homophobia, transphobia, fat phobia, ageism, ableism, health-ism, classism, xenophobia, religious prejudice, poverty, capitalism and other forms of oppression as they show up in my life and work.

In gratitude,

Shulamit

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About the author 

Shulamit Berlevtov  -  Shulamit is a culture change catalyst, speaking and educating at the intersection of mental health & entrepreneurship. She’s The Entrepreneurs’ Therapist, working with women business owners to preserve their peace of mind as they ride the emotional rollercoaster of running a business.

Shulamit has been an entrepreneur for over 30 years and has more than 24 years of professional experience applying therapeutic, coaching and somatic tools to support women's mental health and personal growth. She speaks and teaches about the intersection of mental health, trauma, financial psychology and entrepreneurship locally, nationally and internationally.

As an award-winning entrepreneur, masters-level, licensed trauma therapist and trauma survivor, with certifications in the Trauma of Money, Financial Social Work, Nonviolent Communication and Yoga, Shula brings a unique perspective and approach to supporting women in business.

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