I want to spend my life healing. Living what I ask of others in all areas of my life. I have seen too many examples of the antithesis in the wellness community. People who spew trends to gain followers and attention. Growing a community is great but intentionally creating something for attention is not my goal. I want to root myself in authenticity and transparency.

There is no doubt that globally, there is a lot of tension around race and class issues that are founded upon different structures or ideas depending on where you live. So, I am not speaking for everyone. I am speaking from my experience and how I believe healing can transpire when it comes to race.

Although in many circumstances, race has become attached to a political party. This article is not about politics and never will be, on this blog. Who you choose to vote for is your prerogative.

Here are 3 ways that we can heal racial tension:

1. By speaking from a place of understanding.

I distanced myself from a friendship with someone who would identify herself as being a white liberal. We got into an argument because she was trying to tell me what racism was and gloating about how other white people are racist but she is not. However, every time I offered her a different perspective about the racism I have experienced, she cut me off and shut me down.

This, to me, is one of the ultimate forms of racism. Those who think they are championing on behalf of my demographic but don’t even allow me to speak. They know what’s better for me than I do. Which is the very definition of white supremacy.

It is so vital for us to listen to one another. We might learn from someone else. I have learned and am still learning that if I knew everything, I would be dead. Life is about growth and becoming a better person. Not diminishing what someone else has to say.

2. By acknowledging that all races can be racist.

There is a recent radical ideology that only one race can be racist because of power structure and that is a complete fallacy.

In fact, the most racism that I have experienced has been by what we socially call Latinos and Asians living in The U.S.A. When I often mention this, people dismiss me because a lot of the focus has become about racism from white people. However, the pain I have felt from being racially profiled by someone of another race (other than white) has felt just as painful.

Racism is a form of evil and within all of us is good and evil. We all carry the potential to be racist.

3. No one is above me and I am not above another.

About a year ago, I had an argument with a guy that I used to date. He would also identify himself as a white liberal. We are no longer in communication but when we did speak, he would make condescending remarks about black people and would often recommend a specific playlist that was ‘urban’ to me and I felt as though it was merely because of the color of my skin. He knew that I loved all genres of music and so did he but would only recommend a specific genre to me to listen to. I felt like he was trying to ‘put me in my place.’

I am telling you this story to highlight that often the people who feel as though they can speak for another race, in a lot of my cases it has been white liberals, carry a condescending tone that makes it seem like they are above me.

No one is above me and I am just as capable of succeeding as any other race. Therefore, I do not appreciate those who will label themselves as acknowledging that they have white privilege and then speak for me without listening to what I have to say. Or, will not acknowledge that I am capable of succeeding as much as they can. Only God is above me and my beautiful skin is a blessing, not a curse.