It has been interesting to watch the creation of a new foundation. I have found the process to be "good challenging" and found it has led me to personal reflection about what spaces are for me and which spaces are not for me.
As part of the Lighthouse Foundation, CARE (Coalition of Allies for Racial Equality) is being developed. This is the branch (or however you want to describe it) which is, to be blunt, for us white folks. This is the space that is being opened for us, with clear action items being provided (more to this point in a moment). It has been "good challenging" to realize that the space for us within the Lighthouse Foundation is within CARE. The Lighthouse Foundation itself is not our space.
Historically even well-intentioned whites have had a tendency to see all spaces as our spaces and again historically often take over these spaces because we think we know better than those whose spaces the spaces belong to. As one of the pastors who spoke this morning said "we need to get out of the way" in situations such as this. Looking forward and knowing there will be times where the Lighthouse Foundation creates spaces that are not for me and knowing I will need to stay out of the way is challenging and important.
On the other hand, there will be moments where CARE and I will be asked to step forward in clearly defined ways (sometimes by providing monetary and physical resources and sometimes literally stepping forward to march or demonstrate). CARE is being called to move beyond Studying and Planning and towards Executing and Measuring change.
Case Study: It was mentioned at the summit that at least one organization/group said they were unable to come to the summit today because it was at the same time as their racial justice committee meeting. This was used to highlight the need to move beyond exploring these issues and actually taking steps to make a change.
So as Lighthouse Foundation grows and develops I will continue to have to wrestle with knowing which spaces are for me and which spaces are not for me. I will also have to continue to wrestle with my role as an ally and supporter and learning where I am needed, not always necessarily where I want to be. Sometimes the best way for me to stand in solidarity will be to stand aside, other times it will be going where I am sent.
Some of this process will be uncomfortable but I commit to the discomfort in the name of Radical Justice for all.
