Dear Friends: Minnie Bell came to work for our family when I was 5 years old - and stayed 30 years. She opened my eyes to notice what is not readily seen. After she retired, we often spoke of a more balanced society. Minnie was and is a spiritual teacher to me. She remained open-hearted and loving of all people until her death in October 2019 at 81.
At her funeral, our family sat in the front of her church. We celebrated together in a house of worship that sparkled. A celebration of love. Everything was immaculate - except for one thing.
I noticed the carpet of this amazing place of worship was badly frayed. In stark contrast to our church and home, the floor upon which this congregation prayed, sang, and rejoiced, was worn and tired.
I noticed, and did nothing, feeling powerless to have a conversation, until now.
Too long has there been silence from this ‘black sheep,’ as the realization sinks in that noticing - is only half of the equation. I feel something new now, learning that privilege does not sit well on the sideline. Perhaps it is time to peer more deeply into Minnie’s Vision.
Perhaps, It is time to be curious: I noticed the inequity and was silent, which first left me unbalanced and now there is great pain. How may I learn and grow from this?
Five long weeks of debilitating migraines pushed the following words onto this screen on June 14th, 2020. They are an offering.
We see and feel the inequity, and we imagine ourselves powerless, becoming overtly and covertly silent in the process - leaving us unbalanced, and unable to act for the good of the whole.
For too long has complicity, balanced injustice. For, when a young ‘black sheep’ notices the inequity and pulls back the rug to investigate, it is often said: “Be grateful for your privilege,” in such a way that conveys: “Conformity is the safest path, or else.”
Privilege has been sweeping unspeakable secrets under the rug for generations, and this continued denial of the not obvious truth to children by ourselves, makes integrity a perpetual lie. The rug of denial we all stand upon, is the burden of privilege.
This burden is the counter balance for the scales of injustice we have conditioned ourselves to not-notice. Now, suddenly we are all on-notice: Our foundation is unstable. Look closely, we are not well.
Minnie’s worn out church rug troubles us because…
the heaviness lies directly beneath our feet.
To my fellow brothers and sisters who are silently hurting, it is time to notice the inequity lies within. It is time to fashion more responsible human beings out of ourselves. It is time to exact change by witnessing pain and becoming whole to release the collective burden which weighs humanity down. It is safe to come out now and be heard. It is safe to come from the silence and say, “the inequity resides within.”
It becomes our duty then, to bridge worlds now. For it has been noticed that anyone who didn’t fit ‘the narrative’ became the ballast for the scales of our generational injustice - and have carried this ‘not-obvious’ load for too long.
Therefore, to honor all those we know who have been ostracized, cut out, held down, sent away, ridiculed, made wrong, labeled, forced to keep secrets, blamed or propped up, who then became sick, confused, angry, addicted, lost, paralyzed, dead too young, imprisoned, homeless or are troubled by the paradox of the wealth amassed by the ‘virtue of’ privilege… we say: Let’s awaken together.
Releasing the burden then, removes weight from the scales of injustice when we recognize: Everyone is Responsible, and No One is at Fault.
In the natural rebalancing that follows, a new equilibrium for our society reveals Minnie’s Vision: allowing all to see beyond inequity, beyond poverty, and beyond division into something new: a reality where we look after the good of the whole as a foundation to each one of us reaching our dreams, by recognizing there is more than enough for everyone.
Our societal limitations lie in our inequities. Once we notice the inequity and own our responsibility to grow beyond, we can balance the equation without losing anything.
Perhaps this pain is shared by more who are ready for a more balanced equation; those who simply require an invitation to explore what is in all hearts, and haven’t quite noticed yet. Perhaps it is time for an expanded dialogue about what really lies under our rugs - before trying to fix or solve any problems we see. And then perhaps, we can meaningfully contribute to enhance the spiritual foundations of all People of Color and therefore us all - when we demonstrate that we walk upon all floors with Christ-like humility.
Let’s see what we can learn together from this endeavor. A better world awaits us all.
Life is Heart’s 2020 Endeavor is to empower all people to notice the inequity and balance the equation, first internally and then in our communities.
We are committed to honest self-reflection and compassionate action by becoming better human beings.
We offer our ears, hearts, hands and currency with a willingness to learn and grow, with the intention of enhancing the spiritual foundation of People of Color as a symbol of our dedication to regain our footing.
We are open to the lessons that accompany this endeavor - and pledge to communicate with humility in the spirit of wholeness.
We are here to listen, learn, demonstrate and most importantly, reach into places that are uncomfortable; to discover a new truth for a better world.
We invite everyone to begin noticing life like never before. And when inequity is seen, we move collectively with Spirit to balance the equation.
A new compassionate world is being born. Yet, to build tomorrow’s world, today’s inequity must be addressed now:
It is noticed that inequity lies within. Therefore, the solutions to inequity are available to all.
Thank you for exploring wholeness with us. We know the world is noticing, and that this example may inspire others. We are committed to transparency, as the doorway for something new opens for us all.
We are here in service to this endeavor. Let’s enjoy our destiny together. To participate, choose an icon below.
In lovE,
Mr. E Dan Smith III
PS: Minnie’s Vision was birthed on 06.16.20 - on the 78th birthdate of Judy Walton Smith who like us, at 43, was a work in progress when she died.
Gratitude for…
514
The memory of Brooks Fisher, in honor of those who carry the burden.
The memories of George Dibrell Smith and Judy Walton Smith, in honor of our ancestors.
E. Dan, Alden and Elizabeth Smith, plus and all living Walton’s and Smith’s, in honor of those yet to be born.
Eliza, Ava and Anya Smith, in honor of your vision, patience and courage to enlighten your parents.
Kate Spear exemplifying the Divine Mother, in honor of all the (single) mothers on Earth.
The River House Community for loving fiercely, in honor of those finding their voice.