Read This to Get Smarter

1. Identity is multifaceted and fluid, shaped by personal and social factors

Picture a favorite flower and imagine that the components that comprise "you"—whether they are personal or social identities—are the petals on that flower.

Identity as a flower. This metaphor illustrates the complexity and beauty of human identity. Just as a flower has many petals, our identity is composed of numerous elements:

• Personal identity: How we perceive ourselves
• Social identity: How others perceive us
• Components may include:
  • Gender identity
  • Sexual orientation
  • Race
  • Nationality
  • Religion
  • Career
  • Interests

These "petals" can grow, change, or shed throughout our lives. The key is recognizing that, like flowers, we are all unique and valuable regardless of how many petals we have or how they look.

2. Names and pronouns are crucial aspects of identity and respect

"If they can learn to pronounce Tchaikovsky and Michaelangelo and Dostoyevsky, they can learn Uzoamaka."

Respecting identity through language. Names and pronouns are fundamental to how we identify ourselves and interact with the world. Honoring them is a matter of basic respect and human dignity.

• Names:
  • Learn and use correct pronunciations
  • Avoid making assumptions based on names
  • Respect name changes and chosen names
• Pronouns:
  • Ask for and use correct pronouns
  • Practice using gender-neutral pronouns like "they/them"
  • Correct yourself if you make a mistake

Remember that someone's "real name" is the name they currently use, and their correct pronouns are the ones they tell you. Making an effort to get these right demonstrates respect and care for others' identities.

3. Relationships require mutual respect, trust, and healthy boundaries

Ubuntu is a humbling philosophy because it calls on us to understand that our actions impact more people than just ourselves, and that our interconnectedness requires us to respect the humanity of everyone, not just those we have been socialized to believe are deserving.

Ubuntu as a foundation. The African philosophy of ubuntu, meaning "I am because you are," provides a powerful framework for understanding and building healthy relationships. It emphasizes our interconnectedness and shared humanity.

Key elements of healthy relationships:

• Mutual respect
• Trust
• Compassion
• Consent
• Clear communication
• Healthy boundaries

Boundaries are particularly important, as they allow us to maintain our individuality while fostering connection. Remember that you don't need to understand someone's boundaries to respect them. By approaching all relationships with ubuntu in mind, we create a foundation for more meaningful and respectful interactions.

4. Class and economic systems profoundly impact social structures

Capitalism is an economic and political system in which trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit.

Understanding economic systems. Our society's economic structure deeply influences how we interact, what opportunities we have, and how resources are distributed. Capitalism, while prevalent, is not the only system and has significant drawbacks.

Key points:

• Capitalism often leads to wealth inequality
• Labor is often divided into "skilled" and "unskilled," impacting wages and social status
• Alternative systems like socialism prioritize community ownership and equal distribution
• Cooperative economics (ujamaa) emphasizes sharing resources for communal benefit

It's crucial to critically examine how economic systems impact our lives and society as a whole, considering alternatives that might lead to more equitable outcomes.

5. Disability is a diverse lived experience, not a medical condition to be "fixed"

"I do not overcome my disability, I overcome ableist assumptions."

Rethinking disability. Disability is not a flaw or something to be cured, but a natural part of human diversity. Ableism, not disability itself, is often the true barrier to full participation in society.

Key concepts:

• Social model of disability: Focuses on societal barriers rather than individual "impairments"
• Intersectionality: Disability intersects with other aspects of identity like race and gender
• Person-first vs. identity-first language: Both are valid, respect individual preferences
• Accessibility benefits everyone, not just disabled people

By challenging ableist assumptions and creating more inclusive environments, we can build a society that values and includes all types of bodies and minds.

6. Race is a social construct created to justify oppression and colonization

Race is not a biological category that is politically charged. It is a political category that has been disguised as a biological one.

Deconstructing race. Race is not a biological reality but a social construct invented to justify European colonization and oppression. Understanding this history is crucial to dismantling racism.

Key points:

• Race was invented around 600 years ago
• Pseudoscience was used to justify racial hierarchies
• Racism manifests at intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional levels
• Whiteness is a position of power, not a neutral category
• Colorblindness is not helpful; we must actively work to dismantle racist systems

By recognizing race as a construct, we can begin to challenge and dismantle the oppressive systems built upon it.

7. Sex, gender, and sexual orientation exist on spectrums, not binaries

Gender is not what people look like to other people; it is what we know ourselves to be.

Embracing diversity. Sex, gender, and sexual orientation are far more complex and diverse than traditional binary models suggest. Understanding this diversity is key to respecting all identities.

Key concepts:

• Sex: Combination of various biological traits, not just male/female
• Gender: Personal identity, not determined by biology
• Sexual orientation: Who we're attracted to, with many possibilities beyond gay/straight
• LGBTQ+ identities: Diverse and valid ways of being in the world

Remember that someone's identity is their truth, even if you don't fully understand it. Respect and affirmation are more important than comprehension.

8. Coming out is a personal journey, not a mandatory event

The only perfect coming-out story is the one that happens in our own hearts and minds, because that process is on our own terms.

Honoring personal journeys. Coming out is often portrayed as a singular, dramatic event, but in reality, it's an ongoing process that looks different for everyone. It's not mandatory for living authentically.

Key points:

• Coming out to yourself is just as important as coming out to others
• It's a continuous process, not a one-time event
• Safety and personal readiness should be prioritized
• Outing someone without their consent is never okay

If someone comes out to you, respond with respect, support, and confidentiality. Remember that their journey is their own, and your role is to offer support, not judgment or expectations.

9. Unlearning biases and challenging assumptions is key to getting smarter

Learning is a blessing, not a burden, and learning about the ways in which we can stop ourselves from being harmful is a privilege.

Continuous growth. Getting smarter is an ongoing process that requires us to constantly challenge our assumptions and unlearn harmful biases. This can be uncomfortable, but it's necessary for personal growth and creating a more just world.

Steps for unlearning and growth:

1. Recognize your biases and assumptions
2. Seek out diverse perspectives and experiences
3. Be open to being wrong and learning new information
4. Practice critical thinking
5. Apply new knowledge to your actions and interactions

Remember that discomfort is often a sign of growth. Embrace the process of learning and unlearning as a lifelong journey towards becoming a more informed, compassionate, and intentional human being.

Last updated: October 27, 2024