What did you do during this past Martin Luther King, Jr. Day? Did you have a Sunday-Funday Part Two? Did you get mad at your WAZE app for not redirecting you around that parade on the way to your destination? Did you use the time off from work to catch up on some shopping, sleeping, gym-time, cleaning?
For five days, I had friends visiting me in sunny Florida for the long holiday weekend. On Monday, we did some shopping, eating, napping, and then I took them to the airport so they could return to their frozen New England homes. With them gone, I was able to have some me time and let my brain relax.
When I did finally relax my synapses, I thought, did I do anything today to signify this national/bank/mail holiday? I was given the day off from work for what reason? TBH, I don’t know if I have ever celebrated or did anything to acknowledge the day for what it was legally defined to be.
Something came across my YouTube video list that made me really think about the whole topic a little deeper. In a post from a couple of years back, Psychotherapist Matthew J. Dempsey does some self reflection on being gay and if that means we know everything about discrimination. His video is called I’m Gay, White, & Racist
Growing up gay and feeling like an outlier for most of my life easily lends itself to greater empathy for others who’ve felt the same. My experience also lends itself to the illusion that I couldn’t possibly continue discriminating against others, including people of color. Watch my latest video on how I own racism in an effort to heal.
See what Dempsey has to say. Does he speak to you?
Did this resonate with you?
Do we think we have a better understanding about discrimination because of our LGBT status?
How often do you do self-reflection on how you are with others?
