awareness and responsibility

This past week has been a roller coaster of tragedies and political issues. Among the headlines, Puerto Rico and the destruction of Hurricane Maria, Las Vegas and the concert shooting, abortion legislation, Congress scandals, NFL protests, and Trump's horrendous response to all of it. It's exhausting for even the less politically involved of us. There is an endless supply of causes and movements to get behind, you just have to pick one or twenty...

I want to discuss something I've been studying in one of my classes this week. I am taking a course on the theories of counseling and psychotherapy. Specifically, this week we discussed Existential and Gestalt theories. In both there is a strong emphasis on awareness. In regard to therapy, this typically means an awareness of yourself: your personality, desires, and behaviors. But it also encompasses an awareness of the world around you. Gestalt theory points out that awareness directly translates into responsibility. Once you are aware of your circumstances or issues, you are then burdened with the responsibility of changing and improving. This vaguely resembles the cliche phrase most of us have heard, "the first step to solving your problems is recognizing you have them." I guess that makes responsibility for change step two.

But this was almost epiphanic for me as I am sitting in class and my mind immediately shifts to the topic of privilege. For my purpose here, let's define privilege* as unearned benefits attributed to members of certain social groups. Privilege is what allows you to "not be into politics." It allows you to sit on the sidelines and not choose a team to root for. Or, more commonly, sit on the sideline and root for a team you don't know much about. But the problem with learning about the teams is the duty that comes with it. Awareness does not just mean responsibility for yourself, but for others as well.

If you listen to women's experiences with sexism, you are then responsible for change. When you listen to PoC talk about their encounters with racism, you have to do something. When you learn of the hatred the LGBT community faces, you must be a part of the solution. When you consume statistics and stories, all of that information pushes you to action. So we choose not to listen and we choose not to understand. We choose ignorance because it's easier. When you don't acknowledge the cracks in our nation's foundation, you can continue living guilt-free. Because when everything collapses, you get to claim that you didn't think there was a problem in the first place.

Activism is emotional, and occasionally physical, labor. It's not easy. Engaging in movements and speaking up for your beliefs opens you to harassment and ridicule. It's an emotional vulnerability that opens the gates and let's people in to attack you at your core. But between comfortable ignorance and grueling awareness, I will choose exhaustion every time.

Though activism may be hard, it is just as rewarding. Having a strong belief system and something to stand up for are irreplaceable experiences. Being politically focused has made my life feel purposeful even when I have nothing else pushing me forward. If we are all living in this world, how selfish is it to not be informed on the ways we can take care of it and each other? And the key here is being properly informed.

I would invite those of you who have read this far, to learn something new about politics this week. Find statistics, look at sources, listen to stories, and engage in conversation. Read articles with an open, yet analytical, mind. Whether the information you find pulls you left or right, make sure the information is valid. Gather from a variety of sources, especially individual experience. Really think about what you believe instead of following what family, friends, or institutions tell you. Develop a belief system that fully belongs to you.

Most importantly, develop your beliefs and values with both your mind and your heart. Put love above all else. Do not merely preach a love for country, but a love for all the people in it. Recognize their humanity and their needs. And most critically, do not let your personal desires keep you from seeing what it best for everyone. If our main focus in life was supposed to be ourselves, we wouldn't have been put here with seven billion other people. Our goal should be to create systems that work best for everyone, and sometimes that's gonna involve personal sacrifice.

So make yourself more aware and take on some responsibility. Arm yourself with knowledge and conviction. Take shelter when you need to, recuperate, and rejoin the flanks. It's an emotional, selfless, and tiresome battle, but it's fought with love and truth.


*For more information on privilege, visit this site. It's long and imperfect, but informative.