From: pharvey@mipos3.intel.com (Paul Harvey)
Newsgroups: alt.pagan
Subject: Re: Oppression is Oppression is Oppression...
Date: 25 Jul 92 01:42:45 GMT

Good post! Seems like a pretty good guide on how to be a pagan, to me.

In article <1992Jul24.154729.22616@lclark.edu> 
klotz@lclark.edu (Gretchen Klotz) writes:
I'd like to share some quotes from a wonderful (IMHO) booklet called
_Cultural_Etiquette_ by Amoja Three Rivers (copyright 1990, 1991).  

	No person of color can be a racist as long as white people
maintain power.  This is because racism is "power over."  A person of
color may have race prejudice, but until most of Congress, state,
provincial and local governments, the Pentagon, the FBI, CIA, all major
industries, the Stock Exchange, Fortune 500 members, the educational
system, health care system, the International Monetary Fund, the armed
forces and the police force are all operated and controlled by people of
color and their cultural values, we do not have the kind of power that it
takes to be racist toward anyone.
	It is not "racism in reverse" or "segregation" for Jews or people
of color to come together in affinity groups for mutual support. 
Sometimes we need some time and space apart from the dominant group just
to relax and be ourselves.  It's like family time.  Most of the U.S.A. is
white and gentile with white, gentile rules and values prevailing. 
Sometimes we need to be in control of our own space, time and values, to
shape our own reality on our own turf.  Sometimes we need to be alone to
commiserate with each other about racism and anti-Semitism, and to
formulate plans and strategies for dealing with it.  Sometimes we need
time and space to explore who we are, free from outsider definitions,
influences and ethnocentric imagery.  Sometimes we just need an
environment that is totally free from even the possibility of racism and
anti-Semitism.  So when you see: "Asian Women Only", "Jewish Caucus",
"Womyn of Color Tent", "Middle Eastern Discussion Group", "Native American
Conference", "Open to Latinas", please know that we are not being against
anybody by being for ourselves.
	If people coming together for group support makes you feel
excluded, perhaps there's something missing in your own life or cultural
connections.  (22-23)
	Sometimes white people who are drawn to other people's cultures
are hungry for a way of life with more depth and meaning than what we find
in 20th century Western society.  Don't forget that every white person
alive today is also descended from tribal peoples.  If you are white,
don't neglect your own ancient traditions.  They are as valid as anybody
else's, and the ways of your own ancestors need to be honored, remembered
and carried on into the future.  (24)
	Anyone who functions in what is referred to as the "civilized"
world is a carrier of the disease of racism.  (25)
	So now that you have acquired all these manners, what do you do
with them?
	Develop a private pride in the depth of one's intellect.
		--by non-institutional self-education
		--by making a regular practice of learning about things
		  that don't seem to have direct bearing on your day-to-
		  day life.
	Develop purity of heart.  If you can't clearly and openly express
	what you're thinking, question the validity of what you're thinking. 
	Collect and experiment with all available tools and techniques for
	gaining insight.
	Practice the ones that are the most challenging, for they carry the
	greatest and deepest rewards.
	Seek tools and techniques for gaining insight that are not readily
	available.  Practice the ones that are the most challenging for
	the greatest benefits.
	Examine what you regard as your own culture as if you were a
	complete stranger to it.  If this proves difficult, find a few
	people who do not share your values.  Ask them to describe your
	culture to you.  Keep quiet and pay attention.  Privately imagine
	yourself to be someone who considers herself different from you.
	Spend a day seeing the world as they do. 
	Assume that other people know more about their own lives and
	cultures than you do.
	(From Blanche Jackson's Anti-Racism: The 7-Step Program)
Be an active ally to all oppressed people.  Take the initiative in
intercepting oppression.
Do not let anyone be racist or anti-Semitic or racially prejudiced in your
face.
Have the courage and commitment to lovingly confront even your friends and
your employers when they are offensive.
Write letters to the editor.
Support farmworkers by boycotting produce from offending companies.
Do outreach.
Stand up for what you know is right.
Seek out or start anti-racism groups in your community.
Read books by and about people of color and Jewish people.
Treasure your own heart and good intentions.
Don't expect anti-racism work to always be easy.
Don't be afraid of pain and discomfort.
And don't be afraid to grow.  (26-27)

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