A message of support for black lives matter and anti-racist policies from the neem karoli baba ashram
A Message of Support for Black Lives Matter and Anti-Racist Policies The Taos Ashram was founded in the name of Sri Neem Karoli Baba, whose teachings are of inclusivity and the oneness of all. Maharaj-ji did not see differences in color, or creed. All were treated with love and respect.The Sri Neem Karoli Baba Ashram board and staff stands in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement and all BIPOC communities as they yet again are subjected to pain and suffering at the hands of a racist and unjust system. Systemic injustice, inequality and White Supremacy call for systemic change now.The ashram board and staff are committed to being a part of and support for building a more just and equitable world for all people. We are committed to exploring ways to expand diversity, inclusion, and equality in the ashram’s board of directors, management and staff. We recognize that we serve a very diverse satsang. A large part of our constituency are Indians from India, who are often affected by racist policies and attacks due to the color of their skin and are the "model minority" used to create barriers between BIPOC.. We also commit to examining racist policies at the ashram and the imbalance of diversity within our structure.To our black and brown siblings, your lives matter. You deserve to breathe, to breathe air that is not flooded with tear gas at anytime. In this time particularly, when black and brown, poor, elderly, working class and incarcerated are being hit the worst by the Covid-19 virus, it is vital to remember that breath and equal access to resources is a human right. It is a right of existence. Black and brown people deserve to breathe in safety and in peace. Breath is not something to be deserved. Your life and breathe matters.The horrible, ruthless and senseless killing of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breona Taylor, Tone McDads and countless others at the hands of Police and White Supremacists, requires all to unite in solidarity with the outpouring of hurt, anger and frustration being expressed by all those hundreds of thousands of people protesting across the globe in what is the largest civil rights movement in human history. The frightening scenes of assaults and provocations against citizens by law enforcement sworn to keep the peace and ensure the safety of all, is deeply distressing. We join in support of Black Lives Matter, in support of global anti-racist policies and reform, and in building a peaceful loving future for all people.Sri Neem Karoli Baba said “All Are My Family.” In these difficult times we at the ashram commit to remember this and stand in support of, and solidarity with, our Guru bhai and bahen of color. We are all ONE!By His Grace and with all of our love and support we will be part of the change that is needed and is coming. In Loving AwarenessSri Neem Karoli Baba Ashram Board of DirectorsHanuman das Vice President Suggested Resources Books:
- The Inner Work of Racial Justice: Healing Ourselves and Transforming Our Communities Through Mindfulness by Rhonda V. Magee
- Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love, and Liberation by Rev. angel Kyodo Williams, Lama Rod Owens, and Jasmine Syedullah
- How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard For White People To Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo, PhD
- Uprooting Racism: How White People Can Work for Racial Justice by Paul Kivel
- My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies by Resmaa Menakem
- Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out by Ruth King
- The Racial Healing Handbook: Practical Activities to Help You Challenge Privilege, Confront Systemic Racism, and Engage in Collective Healing by Anneliese A. Singh
Teachers and Thought Leaders to Support:
- Konda Mason
- Rev. Angel Kyodo Williams
- Angel Acosta
- Rhonda Magee
- Leslie Booker
- Ibram X. Kendi
- Dr. Christena Cleveland
- Rev. Jacqui Lewis
- Rachel Cargle
Educational Videos:
- Centered in Blackness: Designing Contemplative Spaces for Black People with Dr. Michelle Coghill Chatman and Dr. Steven Thurston Oliver
- How to Be a Good Ally – Identity, Privilege, Resistance by Ahsante the Artist
- Cracking the Codes: The System of Racial Inequity by World Trust
- Tamika Mallory – The Most Powerful Speech of a Generation
- Systemic Racism Explained
- The Invention of Whiteness by John A. Powell, professor of Law, UC Berkeley
- The Origin of Race in the USA – PBS.org
- Healing the Harm in Schools with UDC Professor Dr. Michelle Chatman
Activist Organizations & Funds to Support: