Kai offered us this great prompt for our group last Thursday. We had some really interesting discussions around this. Any thoughts?
"Some of us feel like victims of woke and other forms of authoritarianism. Even in our confusion and fear, we know in our bones that inciting race hatred, compelling speech, and cutting healthy body parts off of children are evil. So, we find others, like ourselves, trade stories, hold emotions, experiment with language and ideas. We feel connected and reassured. Becoming “anti-woke” is natural and healthy, but, as the language reveals, it is a fundamentally negative orientation that keeps us paranoid, playing defense.
The gift of woke is that it reminds us of something we fogotten: we have core values. The way out of victimhood is to articulate what we want and to pursue it. Saying “no” to woke is insufficient: we must say “yes” to life. So, what are your values? What do you truly want? What lights you up? What makes you laugh? Fills you with wonder? Relaxes you? What makes you strong? What makes you feel engaged? What gifts of your ancestors do you want to transmit and instantiate?"
Hi everyone, I haven't been active in Solid Ground for a while, but I am still alive and kicking! I now work as personal assistant to a mind-bendingly weird and diva-esque artist-lip-syncher-performer named Fiona Blueberry. She is blissfully clueless about politics and seems to be completely unaware of the culture wars. Working with her is a breath of fresh air. If you need a mood lift, I encourage you to watch this video we made together. Happy 4th, everyone! Wishing you fun/love/peace on this holiday. :) www.fionablueberry.com
Our very own @YayRain (after having imbibed some golden nectar), shares with us yet one more problem with CRT....
Found this last night. Today it reminded me of the small convo in Sunday group about this of us being seen as a a threat/pariah for our actions. I also think about Family Systems therapy where it is believed that families has dysfunctional anxieties that have been normalized and considered "safe". Once one steps away from this, the normalization/mean is thrown out of equilibrium.
I would argue that those who "step away" lean in the direction of life and its attendant risks.
Interesting responses in applying his argument to woke culture....
Alms Without Agency: The Root of Civilizational Collapse?
In this video, entitled "West's Hidden Weakness: The Russian Khalyava Strategy", Elvira Bary introduces the Russian concept of kahlyava - gifts bestowed upon members of lower social status by those of higher status. She makes the claim that the flow of kahlvaya is only sustainable as long as everyone involved has something of their own to give. Once the lower ranks of the system are ignored or dismissed as having nothing to offer society, then they become resentful towards the members of the higher caste.
I see this as a key insight with regards to the dynamics of woke-ism which we have been discussing lately - specifically the terminal condition of affluent habitual rescuers performing virtual virtuosity towards those they perceive as permanent victims.
