A condemnation of hate and racial violence: Leaning into our values

The Narrative Enneagram’s mission to transform lives and create a more compassionate world requires that we unequivocally condemn racism, white supremacy and the violence these ideologies motivate. Our thoughts are with those who lost family members or friends in mass shootings in the US over the weekend and in other recent acts of violence, as the rate of racially motivated hate crimes continues to rise.

On May 14, 2022, a white man opened fire at the Tops Supermarket in Buffalo, NY. He killed 10 people, all of whom were Black, and injured three others. Out of more than 200 mass shootings that have taken place in the United States this year, this was the deadliest to date. In a 180-page manifesto attributed to the shooter, he identified as a fascist, white supremacist and anti-Semite, making it clear this shooting was a hate crime.

We honor and remember those who were murdered:
Aaron Salter, 55
Ruth Whitfield, 86
Katherine “Kat” Massey, 72
Pearly Young, 77
Heyward Patterson, 67
Celestine Chaney, 65
Roberta Drury, 32
Margus D. Morrison, 52
Andre Mackneil, 53
Geraldine Talley, 62

On May 15, 2022, a man opened fire in the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, CA. Authorities say he was motivated by his hatred for Taiwanese people, and a federal hate crimes investigation is ongoing. Tragically, Dr. John Cheng was killed when he attempted to overpower the shooter, saving the lives of many parishioners in attendance.

Beyond the United States, the world is a heavy place right now with continued armed conflict in Ukraine, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Yemen, and unrest in other places throughout the world. With such pervasive pain, it’s difficult to know when and how to respond, but that is no reason to grow apathetic. The work of transformation is never complete, and we are stronger when we work together in community.

During difficult times, it is important to lean into our values. We can receive and express loving kindness as we increase our capacity for greater awareness. We can practice being grounded in our bodies and present to our own inner experience, allowing us to be receptive to ourselves, to others, and to that which is greater. We can experience the inherent value and beauty of difference, as an expression of the greater whole where all are worthy of belonging. And on this foundation, we can work in partnership toward individual, collective and structural transformation by cultivating freedom for all people and building the capacity to dismantle oppressive systems that deny justice and prohibit flourishing for All.

We will continue our work, individually and as an organization, to ensure The Narrative Enneagram is a place where Black people and others who hold marginalized identities know they belong and can feel safe. We hope that you will join us in this commitment as part of the TNE community.

If you are looking for supportive resources, we’ve created a shelf of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-Racism related book recommendations in our online Bookshop. Greater awareness can lead to right action, as we know from our work with the Enneagram. Education is an important step, but the work does not end there. So as we continue to grapple with the state of the world and look for ways to turn individual intention into collective action, we invite you to keep the lines of communication open. We greatly value your feedback and support.

Sources:

https://www.npr.org/2022/05/17/1099586853/california-church-shooting-charged-taiwan

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/15/us/payton-gendron-buffalo-shooting-suspect-what-we-know

https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/15/us/buffalo-shooting-victims-what-we-know