Situating myself
Photo credit Unsplash
Our world
This is my first in a series of blogs. So I thought it appropriate to tell you a bit about who I am and where I am situated. You will be pleased to know that I will neither be referring to the current times as “the new normal” nor as “unprecedented”.
Photo credit Unsplash
Without discounting the magnitude of the current situation, the world has faced pandemics and moments of reckoning in the past and sadly will do so again in the future.
But, for me as a 50 something Black woman born into the prosperity of a stable upbringing in Canada, what a luxurious place I occupy with 2020 being the first year of momentous upheaval that I have experienced in my fortunate lifetime. And while the upheaval continues into 2021, I remain blessed.
I reside in a place of privilege compared to much of the world’s population, in terms of security, safety, and access to resources based on multiple measures. These include access to education, food, and clean water to name a few.
I also occupy a position of privilege relative to many First Nations communities where poverty, disproportionate rates of chronic and communicable diseases, and a host of social ills continue as the shameful legacy of Canada’s racist and colonial history.
My role
So as we look at the current state of the world I pause to consider the privileged location where I am situated and how I can make a positive contribution at multiple levels – globally, nationally, institutionally, locally, and at the level of the individuals who touch my life.
I have had a long and fulfilling public service career, working on files that matter to me, including HIV/AIDS, mental health and addictions, human rights, and policy and programs to assist immigrants and refugees in Canada.
Photo credit Unsplash
Our communities
Throughout this fascinating work and in the course of my volunteer work with Centretown Community Health Centre, the Federal Internship for Newcomers, and the Government of Canada Workplace Charitable Campaign, I have been blessed that people have generously allowed me to hear their stories of trauma, pain, survival, and hope.
Based on this knowledge that there is genuine suffering in my community, I feel a sense of personal responsibility to leave the world a wee bit better through my power to influence social change and through my ability to support individuals who are interested in expanding their potential to live as better individuals and as better members of their communities.
After all, members of Indigenous communities have graciously allowed me to reside on the land where I am located, and I have a responsibility to be the best neighbour that I can be.
The 4Hs — my key values
There are certain values that I bring to my coaching practice at this stage in my trajectory and in the world’s lifecycle, from the privileged vantage point that I am fortunate to have.
You will learn more in upcoming blogs about my values and vantagepoint and how they inform my coaching practice. Friends and colleagues have heard me refer to my 4Hs as key values.
The Hs centre around the concepts of:
They guide me in my approach to interacting with others, launching into challenging conversations on issues such as privilege and oppression, and in my quest to be a better human.