Over 200 people registered to participate in the Inayatiyya’s 21 Day Racial Equity Building Challenge which ran from Nov. 1 to Nov 21. Credit for the design of the program goes to Dr Eddie Moore, a national leader committed to garnering skills for living in a diverse society. He provides leadership training grounded in building relationships, respect and understanding. His website offers not only a wealth of resources, but suggestions for organizations, activities and people to follow after completing this daily challenge.
Engaging in a daily activity supported the development of a deeper understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity. A curated Resource list of over 90 items (articles, videos, podcasts, poems and music) was available to support this work. Each day registrants committed to engage with one activity. To support our commitment, we received an email with a quote from Hazrat Inayat Khan with a link to the Resource list and three suggestions to select from. The Resource list will continue to be accessible to all. You are welcome to (re-)engage with material not explored, and share the link if so inclined.
Those who were available checked in by Zoom mid-way through and at the close of the Challenge, sharing their experiences in smaller breakout groups. Some of the participants thoughts included:
- “The selections are full of beauty and integrity. Revelatory!”
- “This practice helped me see outside the lens of Whiteness.”
- “Thank you so very much for all of your (and your team’s) organization and leadership in bringing this program/activity forward, especially at this time which … really feels like an “inflection point” for where we are as a society in confronting our legacy of racial injustice.”
- “It increased my awareness and willingness to speak out with quiet participation.”
- “It is very heartening to be part of an Order-wide conversation on these important matters, matters that are vital to the harmony we all hope to realize in our lives and in our world.”
As we move to embody a more just, equitable and inclusive community, a heart aphorism from Murshid (adjusted for gender inclusion), identifies qualities that support our work.:
The length of the heart one shows by tolerance.
The width of the heart one shows by endurance.
The height of the heart one shows by the power of understanding.
The depth of the heart one shows by the capacity of assimilating all.
~ Hazrat Inayat Khan
Kinship Council members Batina Sheets, Khatidja Rodriguez-Ruiz, Zakir-Amin Povich, Majid Vowels and Rabia Povich contributed to the program content. The program wouldn’t have been possible without the gracious staff support from Julianna Takas, Leon Yao, Tarana Jobin and Isa Haberer. Thanks to all, especially each participant.