Did you know that speaking out about racism is not "civil"?
I didn't. I've called out racism and bigotry, loudly and clearly, my entire life. I do try to engage in respectful dialogue about it, but I never shy away from the topic.
I was all set to partner with someone which was going to move my work forward significantly; the 501c3 paperwork was en route to the attorney. Granted, this person's focus and passion is on transpartisanship, yet he claimed to completely support all I do and all I am about. I'm not passionate about transpartisanship but it is certainly something I support: a more informed citizenry, citizen councils, no partisan stalemates as we have now.
I awoke to an email chastising me about my recent Facebook post which echoes 95% of my posts in which I try to raise awareness about how prevalent racism still is. Obviously this person, whom I've known for a year, has paid no attention to anything I say or post. If you know me for 10 minutes, you know racism and other forms of "othering" are my key issues.
"I'm afraid you being so vocal about racism will turn off (insert names here) who are leaders in the transpartisan and New Thought (?) movements. I thought you were about compassion and inclusion? You alienate people talking so much about racism. Referring to anyone as racist (even though I didn't name names and spoke in generalities in my post), using such words, is not reflective of civil dialogue."
Holy shit. I nearly had a stroke I was instantly soooooooo pissed.
As I tried to calmly explain, I'm always mindful -- and make a point of saying so quite often -- that I know there is fear of some sort behind all bullying and, on a spiritual level I do have compassion for anyone's fear (as irrational and/or selfish it may be), but on a human level I just want them to stop bullying and will step in to stop the bullying. I am more concerned about the victims. I consider all abuse and oppression to be bullying on various levels; overt racists are violent, destructive bullies. (Passive racism and apathy in general perpetuate it, I realize.) I have a very hard time having any compassion for them, just as I have a hard time having compassion for child molesters, domestic abusers, animal abusers, etc.
While I normally speak to the systemic aspect of racism, I do periodically address how prevalent individual racist behavior -- and flat out white supremacist behavior -- still is EVERYWHERE, in all regions, in all socioeconomic environments. I guess that was too much for the ivory tower delicate sensibilities.
I knew instantly that I could not work with this person. He wanted to take me, a square peg, and fit me into a round hole. It did cause me to reflect on whether or not I'm a hypocrite because I do also speak of compassion and collaboration a lot. Perhaps my outspokenness about various forms of bullying means that I do not live up to compassion and other ideals I espouse. I aspire to be able to treat all bullies and abusers with love and compassion, but I can't. I just honestly can't. But I'm glad there are people who can.
Part of my response to him:
"Perhaps activism in general isn't in alignment with peace and compassion because the nature of activism inevitably is calling out some behavior, and thus those who are engaged in said behavior.
When bullies recognize they're bullying, that's when I can meet them where they are. Until then, I will protect others from the bullying as much as possible and continue to raise awareness that the bullying really does exist in an attempt to destroy such behavior. That is my way of living compassion.
If that means I'm at a lower level of awareness or being a hypocrite about my desire to cultivate care and compassion and wisdom and the other values I cherish, even though I'm not perfect about any of it, I can accept that.
By the way, every single person mentioned in your ideal "dream team" of advisors had something in common: older white people, mainly men.
'nuf said."
I put an end to any partnership but the whole thing agitated me all day.
= new reply since forum marked as read
I know. I'm sorry.
Thanks. 
Peace to you as well. And thank you.
and they are telling you to be civil SMH
I think the patriarchal bullshit that flowed from him is what pissed me off the most, to be honest. The whole thing just pissed me off tremendously...lol.
But that situation reminded me of a something with a person on HuffPo that told me to stop talking about #BLM and put it on the back burner for something more important, and to support Bernie Sanders. After all these years I was too through with that person...WHAT?! That's important to me and you think it's trivial?! 
of many of those trying to create a "new world." It's laughable for them to think that they are in control of it. I'm really of proud of you sending the message loud and clear that We Don't Care What You Think when censorship creating more marginalization is still part of the outline for transformation. I'm thinking now that many of them are starting to finally feel the we-don't-care and perhaps then we can meet on more neutral ground. We just have to keep pounding it in because they're so fucking slow.
Thanks, KoB!
I thought I'd be brave and make this my first Medium post.
https://medium.com/@denapatrick/my-internal-tug-of-war-f8fea2260b3c#.8pdk3oldm
Happy to Follow you! 
names like Barbara Marx Hubbard and Jean Houston are often mentioned. I'm familiar with them, of course, but I'm not familiar with the "New Thought" label.
