Beyond Silence: Engaging Minds and Bodies in Race Conversations

I wanted to share some thoughts on my positionality as a white woman facilitating discussions about race, and why I'm passionate about inviting white folks into these conversations, emphasising the importance of body awareness and somatically-informed movement. This feels particularly relevant given the current context of racist and anti-Muslim attacks in the UK.

As a woman racialised as white, I am deeply aware that my lived experience and perspective are limited. I don't have all the answers, nor would I ever pretend to. However, I firmly believe that those with structural advantages in the context of race—white people—have a responsibility to engage in this work if we hope to be good humans, elders, and ancestors.

It's ultimately the white folks, myself included, who need to engage in the work of noticing and acting on our experience of structural advantage. This advantage is not of our choosing, but it is stored in our bodies and influences how we think.

The paradox of whiteness is that it is often unseen by those racialised as white, yet it profoundly shapes our lives and the lives of others, like toxic air or polluted water. That's why it is crucial for white folks to bring this shadow to light by noticing our daily experiences of 'being white' and understanding what that means. These experiences extend beyond our thoughts and include our whole selves—our feelings and bodily sensations. Only in this way can we learn to feel grounded and at home in our bodies, enabling us to be present for others.

To truly 'see' how racism has shaped our lives as white folks means confronting some painful truths. These difficult feelings might involve recognising that you've been able to remain ignorant of racism for a large part of your life or acknowledging your complicity despite good intentions. These feelings can be very hard to 'feel' and process, and there is a huge benefit in doing this work with others.

For many of us, quick, implicit nervous system reactions in racially charged contexts involve a fight response (e.g., defensiveness, responding as if attacked), a flight response (e.g., avoiding the topic), or a freeze response (e.g., feeling immobilised or overwhelmed, remaining silent). It's hard, if not impossible, to simply 'think yourself out' of these reactions. We need to practice becoming aware of what happens in our bodies. With time and practice, you will start to notice where these patterns come from, allowing you to do the essential work of slowing down, soothing your nervous system, and giving yourself a chance to respond differently. This work is challenging but important, and it brings a renewed sense of connection to both yourself and others.

Racism and whiteness are like toxic air—we all have no choice but to breathe it. As white folks, we might notice that what seems to act in our advantage is also our loss because it does so at the cost of health and lives of others. This is a powerful reason to engage in this work with the full aliveness of your mind and body