Tying Yesterdays Work Into Todays Work
Today’s live session was profound. I felt the weight of the topic, the vulnerability in the comments, and the shared determination of everyone showing up for this work. Accountability is often framed as something to fear, something tied to shame or exile, but today we reclaimed it as a practice of growth, repair, and healing. Together, we explored what it means to face our ancestral history, the grief that comes with it, and how to take meaningful action rooted in love, not guilt.
Key Takeaways from Today’s Discussion
Accountability Is a Practice, Not Punishment
We often avoid accountability because it’s been weaponized as punishment. But accountability, when held with grace and intention, is an invitation to repair. It’s about recognizing harm, taking responsibility, and creating opportunities for restoration and trust.
Example: I shared the story of my son taking accountability for a mistake, and how instead of punishment, we focused on repair. This allowed him to learn and grow without fear.
Reflection: Where do you resist accountability in your life, and what would change if you saw it as a chance for healing instead of blame?
Ancestral Repair Requires Honesty and Grief
Facing our history means confronting both the harm and the sacrifices made by our ancestors. For white-bodied people, it often means understanding how their families became “white” and how that journey severed solidarity with Black, Indigenous, and marginalized communities. With this honesty comes grief, but also the possibility of repair.
Example: My grandmother’s experience of forced assimilation as an Irish immigrant is a reminder that becoming “white” was violent and isolating. That grief lives in the bodies of many white-bodied people today, and acknowledging it is the first step to repair.
Reflection: What was lost in your lineage due to assimilation or colonization? How can you grieve that loss while taking steps toward repair?
Solidarity Requires Action, Not Just Acknowledgment
True solidarity means more than acknowledging harm—it requires action. Whether it’s standing with immigrants, organizing mutual aid, or creating community-based solutions, solidarity must be lived out through tangible commitments.
Example: We discussed “A Day Without Immigrants,” and I asked attendees to reflect on how they can actively show solidarity by organizing support, whether through childcare, financial aid, or collective action.
Reflection: How are you standing with marginalized communities today, and what actions can you take to ensure solidarity is more than a statement?
