I just returned from a forum with the creator and host of the podcast On Being, Krista Tippett, and poet and philosopher, David Whyte. A friend recently introduced me to the podcast, which discusses topics on what it means to be human and how we want to live, and has since thoughtfully answered existential questions I never even knew I had.
Forty-five minutes early to the event called Ways of Being in the World, and already a crowd had swarmed in front of Harvard Square’s Unitarian Universalist church doors. As the crowd grew, I noticed that it consisted mainly of white middle-aged men and women, but mostly women, with a smattering of color. I observed specifically two separate groups of young East Asians, two young women of color with head coverings that sat together, a handful of mostly older black men and women, and a handful of men and women of color I couldn’t identify. Honestly, I wasn’t too surprised of this turnout because of the nature of the podcast (an explanation that I think ties into my reflections as you read on).
Overall, the dialogue did not inspire me, at least not to the effect of Krista Tippett’s podcast. What did strike me from this event, however, were the questions that came afterwards.
The questions asked, and the people who asked those questions, revealed the division in our society, even in a community as diverse as Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Regular listeners of the On Being podcast will know that each conversation begins with Krista Tippett asking her guest about their spiritual history, but the older white woman who rose to ask the first question, suggested it would be more fulfilling to learn about their sexualities, too. Then, questions followed like how Krista and David view the significance of silence and how they integrate it into their own lives, how to ask beautiful questions and how to listen, how to cope with despair, and how does being interplay with becoming. These were questions presented by white audience members.
Much of the conversation between Krista and David reverted to vulnerability as an essence of being human, and that it is necessary to allow space for others and for yourself to become vulnerable as it opens up room for understanding. Following this thread, the first of three questions posed by audience members of color was from one of the girl’s with head-covering. She asked for advice from Krista about how to deal with the situation in which your vulnerability becomes ineffective in fostering understanding even within your own circle (in light of the new presidency); where the disconnect between you and those with opposing [political] views is wide, but then you discover the shocking fact that the disconnect between you and people with similar views is equally wide. She also asked Krista if she has ever faced a similar situation.
The next two questions posed by men of color were how technology could be used to our advantage such as to close gaps and help people who struggle to make real-life connections make connections virtually; and finally, what happened to empathy?! Where has it gone?
What struck me was that the questions posed by the men and women of color had to do with protection. How do I protect myself? Whereas the questions posed by the white audience members were how can I self-improve?
If I hadn’t mentioned the race of the individuals who asked their respective questions, one could say that those queries apply to all of us. But if that were the case, why didn’t the older white woman ask where empathy has gone in this world? Perhaps because she doesn’t experience this lack of empathy from others on a daily basis. It’s simply not on her mind. Of course I’m making sweeping assumptions here, but do you deny that privilege is embedded even in our thoughts? If we do not fear hunger, we don’t have to think about how to put food on the dinner table every night. If we have black children, we worry for their lives as they walk out into the streets every night. Thoughts that occupy our mind can be very telling of our place in the world.
Perhaps I am being extra sensitive and hyper aware of my own being as a minority in America in these particular times, and in that particular audience, but these are the thoughts that occupy my mind as I reflect on tonight’s event. What does that say about my place in the world?
(I welcome — and greatly wish for — any and all responses to my post. If you found any parts to be offensive, relatable, totally untrue, or it just didn’t make any sense at all, PLEASE tell me as I am learning and growing. By the way, this event was filmed and will be broadcasted on NPR–not sure when! Below is an On Being conversation between tonight’s speakers.)
Chongqing Three Gorges Museum