Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Belonging.

I stand in solidarity with communities that have been historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and terrorized through discrimination and hatred. I recognize my responsibility to uphold social justice, embody compassion, and bring transformative awareness to the ignorance and delusion that allow discrimination and hatred to flourish. The continuing inequity and violence I see in this country and elsewhere is evidence that I haven’t done enough and there is more I must do.

I believe that Black Lives Matter and I mourn the loss of Daunte Wright, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Dominique Clayton, Tamir Rice, and countless other Black people throughout history to white violence. I condemn the anti-Asian violence that surged in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-immigrant rhetoric driven by bigotry and xenophobic ideologies, the rollback of LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections, and the increase in violence against transgender and gender non-conforming people in this country.

I pledge my commitment to ongoing diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, advocacy, allyship, and activism initiatives that evolve as circumstances change and as new needs arise. I am committed to a mindful way of living; this includes waking up to injustice and recognizing my personal and shared responsibility for eliminating it. This also means taking committed action that supports social justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion. I hope you will stand in mindful and compassionate solidarity with me.

Thank you to the Midwest Alliance for Mindfulness for your inspiration and leadership.

Native Land Acknowledgement

In order for me to stand in solidarity with communities that have been historically marginalized, disenfranchised, and terrorized through discrimination and hatred, I must equally acknowledge the terrorism and genocide of our indigenous people.

The land that I am living on and from where I do most of my work, was first ceded by the Otoe-Missouria in 1830 by Cession ID 151. This land which is now filled with concrete, motors, and about two million people—a majority of whom are white—was previously stewarded by the nations of Sac and Fox, Wahpekuta, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, Omaha, Iowa, and Otoe-Missouria.

While recognizing the part of our forebears in this history, I also bear a responsibility to nurture a new kind of community based on the best in all of us—for ourselves and our planet.

May all beings be free from suffering.
May all beings be held in lovingkindness and compassion.
May all beings be healthy and at peace.

Thank you to The Resilient Activist for your inspiration and activism.