WOW. I've very much come to the conclusion the last few years that our productivity doesn't determine our self-worth and that we need to rest, but as you say, it's REALLY difficult to change that inner monologue and actually rest when we need to do so. And I've always known that resting, healing, and recharging are all ways to buck capitalism (which I know is inherently racist), but to have that connected to a way outside of bucking capitalism to dismantle racism? I feel absolutely stupid that I didn't make that connection myself.
Don't feel stupid at all! It is by design that we don't make these connections so that we continue to not only believe in these systems but believe our thoughts about ourselves and our neighbors these systems produce. It has to feel "normal" and "right" to work. In essence, the system did its job. It did its job with me, too! I used to believe in all of the standards of white supremacy culture because we are conditioned to think they are "right" and "good" and the "keys to earning success and value in this nation."
I love every single part of this. The peraonal is political, and challenging our relationship to capitalism, consumerism and rest is a start to upending oppressive systems.
White supremacy systems will not be dismantled until white people dismantle them.
"True liberation begins when we finally overturn a system that wants us to believe that our freedom, or lack thereof, is our fault and our responsibility."
Great article! Thank you for sharing such a powerful perspective.
I never thought about New Year New You in this way - a huge part of the capitalist, white supremacist machine. I ditched goal setting years ago because it made me feel like crap when I didn’t reach my goals, but this is one more reason to abstain. I appreciate your work!
Thank you! Yes, it's all connected! The Everygirl article I linked toward the end of the essay about New Year, New Me was also written by me and I explore the brief history of this phenomenon and why it's toxic.
WOW. I've very much come to the conclusion the last few years that our productivity doesn't determine our self-worth and that we need to rest, but as you say, it's REALLY difficult to change that inner monologue and actually rest when we need to do so. And I've always known that resting, healing, and recharging are all ways to buck capitalism (which I know is inherently racist), but to have that connected to a way outside of bucking capitalism to dismantle racism? I feel absolutely stupid that I didn't make that connection myself.
This is a fantastic article. Thank you.
Don't feel stupid at all! It is by design that we don't make these connections so that we continue to not only believe in these systems but believe our thoughts about ourselves and our neighbors these systems produce. It has to feel "normal" and "right" to work. In essence, the system did its job. It did its job with me, too! I used to believe in all of the standards of white supremacy culture because we are conditioned to think they are "right" and "good" and the "keys to earning success and value in this nation."
I love every single part of this. The peraonal is political, and challenging our relationship to capitalism, consumerism and rest is a start to upending oppressive systems.
White supremacy systems will not be dismantled until white people dismantle them.
"True liberation begins when we finally overturn a system that wants us to believe that our freedom, or lack thereof, is our fault and our responsibility."
Great article! Thank you for sharing such a powerful perspective.
Thank you so much!
I never thought about New Year New You in this way - a huge part of the capitalist, white supremacist machine. I ditched goal setting years ago because it made me feel like crap when I didn’t reach my goals, but this is one more reason to abstain. I appreciate your work!
Thank you! Yes, it's all connected! The Everygirl article I linked toward the end of the essay about New Year, New Me was also written by me and I explore the brief history of this phenomenon and why it's toxic.