This is Still Happening
Photo by Liam Edwards on Unsplash
I had a post planned for today around changing up your interior spaces in 2021. After watching the events of this week unfold I won’t be posting that today, but I think that post is surprisingly relevant...with a few tweaks.
With the murder of George Floyd sparking mass protests in 2020, I made a commitment to educate my children on racial and social injustice. We had, and continue to have, discussions on what it means to be a person of color in America, how our white skin historically and currently offers us unearned privilege and how people use that privilege in violent, disrespectful and hurtful ways.
My children are young and do not have access to the internet without my or their Dad’s consent, and we don’t watch the news together unless I explicitly choose to do so. I have been digesting the events of this week and thinking about how I want to deliver the message of what the actions of this group mean in a broader sense.
Young children are very concrete and political/social/historical nuance is tricky to impart to them, which calls for a kid translation that is weirdly more complex than just having a discussion with an adult.
My six year said the other day “If we were black, we would be shot and killed.” Obviously, he’s had a very strong take away from our conversations, but it’s clear that we need to continue digging into the “why” of it.
So how does this relate to a relatively unimportant action like changing up your interior space?
The planning and the steps are similar. Instead of changing up your physical space, we need to work on changing our internal approach to creating change in the world around us both in our own homes and beyond.
Begin with research. With a living room I start with Pinterest, but with social change I start with articles, knowledgeable experts and books. I hit up Instagram for information from activists and those with the inside political knowledge. Gather your sources.
What’s working…or not. Take a hard look at what is working to promote the change you want to see in the world (hello voting!) and what isn’t and take action where you can accordingly.
How would you like your community/country to function? When I’m thinking about the function of a family room, I may be thinking I want it to be a place for entertainment. When I’m thinking about my community or country, I want to see my children grow up in a world that is fair, kind and encourages and celebrates our differences.
What stays. You may absolutely adore an old chair that tells a story and feels like home. Similarly, you may want to continue to encourage and engage in the momentum of activism and political engagement in this country or the harder discussions you’ve had with friends and relatives.
What would you like to add or replace? That dangerous ego maniacal shit starter of an entertainment center…I mean Trump, needs to exit stage left…preferably prior to his official eviction date. The point is to keep adding in those voices and change makers on the national political level down to your local schoolboard that are in line with values of decency and inclusion.
Budget. Put your money where your mouth is. Give to causes that are meaningful and affect change. That may be political but also social movements, education or to someone in your local community that needs your support.
Research round two. Keep honing your resources as you absorb more information. Certain viewpoints and approaches may not sit right with you after a time. Examine what you’re reacting to and continue to add and reexamine your sources. We don’t have to stick to one train of thought. We can continue to evolve- that’s called progress. Lean into that.
Order samples. Okay, I’m not sure how this one relates, but I’ll make this one a stretch and say we should order CBD samples to keep our heads from exploding with rage?
Measure twice, buy once. Being thoughtful and mindful of what you allow into your mental space serves us in all areas, not just interior design. Avoid polluting your mind with every news story or inflammatory article. Take a pause and consider how you want to proceed. Don’t buy the sofa that is going to block your natural light.
Get organized. Once you have your guiding principles and your research, consider what else you need to take action. Maybe that’s literally organizing a protest or getting your ducks in a row to begin calling your local congress person. Maybe that’s writing down what you want to say to your kids and finding impactful images or video that support the message you’re trying to convey.
Take the leap! Now is the time for action. Purchase that rug. Commit to the artwork that makes you smile. Make a move; however large or small and change the future of your community and our country.
What resources are you turning to these days? What changes would you like to see? If you’re having these conversations with your kids, how are you approaching them?
With love,
Steph
