You know its funny, I woke up today and was making my lists of what to do, what to take care of, what to work on in The Nature Of Refuge, I do this everyday, this work is my life and i am hooked. Brenda was at the top of the list. I’ve got a rhythm now with my women, I interviewed Brenda last week and I like to have the interviews and writing completed and up within a week. Yesterday I had done quite a bit of the editing and with the intention of finishing today and posting and thats exactly what I’m doing, so good on me. Whats funny is that I had no clue it was Martin Luther King Day today – or is that funny? Shouldn’t I know it like I know Christmas Day, that one of our nation’s heroes should be tattooed into my consciousness in the same matter? But, days and dates have always been slippery and especially now in these last few years, my brain just doesn’t prioritize what day it is anymore, western linear time has become alot less important and has less impact on my ambitions and goals the older and more focused I become. So, I woke up today with a understanding that it was the middle of January but not interested on the exact date until i got online to start my own work and saw the reminder that yes, it was Martin Luther King. And this was my goal day to post my interview with Brenda, and bless her, she is quite open and frank in our interview about her fear of being an African- American woman in today’s political and social environment.
Symmetry, Serendipitous.
I also see a beautiful symmetry in Brenda’s interview in light of the recent public, bigoted comments on people from “shithole” countries such as Haiti, El Salvador, and a wide sweep of African nations, from the man who is currently holding the office of President of the United States.
Brenda’s fears are a natural response to the hatred, violence, and attacks that she experiences and witnesses in our current American life. This upsweep of bigoted based attacks that have accelerated in this past year in our country, the existing deep stain of guilt and fear combining with public permission by the leaders and media in our country, the propaganda that lashing out in violence towards anyone who is not white and male as an actual viable cause of action. The insulting broadcast that that is the “American” way and we as a nation, need to reclaim that.
No thanks, no way.
So Brenda’s is the voice of truth for me today that I share with you at being the recipient of that toxic dump of unwarranted fear and ignorance that racism is.
Brenda Crawford shared more of herself than her fear of the accelerated racism in our country, quite a bit more. Brenda spoke at length about her role as the Director of Exercise Therapy at the Neuro Vitality Center here in Palm Springs that is a refuge for those who have experienced strokes and Parkinson’s Disease. A refuge in which to be taught by Brenda and her coworkers in how to find safety in their bodies again after their physical centers have been fundamentally shifted. That Brenda is a facilitator in this aspect is what drew me to her to begin with, that and the light she emanates upon meeting.
Please watch the full length video of Brenda’s interview here http://vimeo.com/251089424
Brenda is also in my opinion, a Dog-Whisperer. Brenda tells a heartfelt story of her three dogs being her companions and confidants for the past twenty years. Brenda describes herself as action oriented opposed to verbal and that the love and companionship with her animals was profound and helpful in a monumental way.
Brenda also described herself and presented herself as being more guarded in life, but the minute she sat down and started the interview process, she gave me the great gift of her truth and vulnerability and sadness. Brenda also gave the gift of her laughter and resilience and intelligence.
I wish i could say on Martin Luther King Day that we as a nation have come a long way together on this journey of integration with all our rainbow of colors and genders and ideologies. We are still a nation living in deep fear of each other and the tragedy and loss of what we could be as a nation right now is vast, deep. But I believe in Love and I believe in the endeavor of striving to achieve equality and if we keeping speaking from our compassionate hearts everyday, I believe we shall overcome.
This is how we can take care of each other.
This is the nature of refuge.
