This is going to be quite the journey. Stay with me.

Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools by Dr. Monique Morris has been one of the most important books I’ve read. Like many non-racialized people, I did a lot of reading during the summer of 2020. The reason Pushout resonated with me is that I’ve come to understand an environment doesn’t have to be hostile but simply unwelcoming enough for it to create a disconnect between how women of colour see themselves versus how they show up in those unwelcoming spaces.

I have been a teacher, professor, mentor and coach over half my life and there is one thing I am certain of:

In the mosaic of learning, of the many tools used to teach and learn, our greatest educator is in the sharing of different perspectives.

– Jen Boyd

One of our greatest teachers, and many (white?) men will agree with me, is Yoda. Over the course of the Star Wars franchise, Yoda teaches Luke Skywalker to master the Force – the invisible “life power” possessed by Jedi. Yoda’s ability to wield the Force is unparalleled. What I find fascinating about Yoda is the sage advice he provides. The dark Dagobah cave scene, for example, when Luke asks Yoda “what’s in there?”, to which Yoda replies:

“Only what you take with you.”

That’s some deep stuff…

I can’t help but connect some of Yoda’s wise words to my anti-racism journey (I told you to stay with me… now’s the time). I continue to learn, grow and practice my skills and language around anti-oppression. I have undergone extensive anti-racism and inclusion training supported by mentorship, readings, workshops, and conversations.

“You must unlearn what you have learned.”

– Yoda

The most important step I have taken has been in my unlearning. To unlearn something is to discard it. To take something you have learned, especially false or outdated information, and wipe it from your memory.

“Many of the truths that we cling to depend on our point of view.”

– Yoda

Here’s the hard part…

Look at your circle – both your inner circle of friends and family and your outer circle of colleagues, neighbours and acquaintances. What does it look like? More importantly, why does it look like that?

“Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.”

-Yoda

What are you taking with you into your cave?