Hi everyone,
Steve and I want you to know that events of the past week have affected both of us deeply… we could barely keep it together to be honest. We have been humbled and I feel completely inadequate to even attempt to write an email about race. We have so much to learn.
What we do know right now is that we are complicit in the marginalization of black people in our culture. There are many other forms of social injustice in our world, but this is what we need to talk about right now.
Our minds have been spinning with all the things we could do, how we need to change, and all the projects we could start, but we keep hearing that the thing we most need to do is to stop and listen. If you are feeling overwhelmed or paralyzed like we are, we encourage you to do the same and take a breath.
In the meantime, two concrete things we will be doing for sure: Donating money and seeking out black artists to be part of our classes.
This is a start,
Carla and Steve
P.S. We are a community, so please share any resources that you have found with me and others! My daughter-in-law sent me a Facebook post from Shonda Rhimes, which I love:
some are posting on social media
some are protesting in the streets
some are donating silently
some are educating themselves
some are having tough conversations with friends and family
a revolution has many lanes — be kind to yourself and others who are traveling in the same direction.
just keep your foot on the gas.
— Shonda Rhimes
carlasonheim.wordpress.com 
You are not the only one who is self-reflecting. We feel the same. Thank you for your honesty.
Ditto to all of the above, we live in Australia and have been knocked sideways by what has happened recently. Your honesty is touching and refreshing. As artists we may feel that there is little we can do, but you are making a start and all of these small things will make a difference. I’m not explaining myself very well here, I think the recent events have poured light on the hugeness of the issues. You have taken a step in the right direction and therefore a step forward. That saying about “good men doing nothing” keeps coming into my head, I have always felt that I was doing no harm by keeping out of any protests or rallies even though I agreed with the cause at hand, but there are things I can do, and I shall be paying attention in future. I hope some of that makes sense.
I love that people are concerned….but is the current violent protesting and looting doing any good? It is simply reinforcing the stereotype that black people are criminals. Better would be done by lobbying politicians, decent ones (if there are any), to work on their behalf. I also don’t agree that all police are bad, but some are and the law should deal with them very harshly. There is no room in this world for people who are mindlessly cruel or vicious.
Your concern is shared by many, however it is beside the point for a few reasons.
Theft and property destruction should be separated from the protest and its message. Those that participate in it are in the vast minority. Lumping that and the protest into the same event is a time tested tool of the oppressors to marginalize and silence the oppressed.
A side note, the use of “loot” as a verb, originated as a Hindi word in the 19th century, from the Sanskrit word for “rob”. It’s purpose was distinguish between Europeans who might rob and Non-Europeans whose robbing was viewed as part of their intrinsic nature towards unruly behavior emptied of reason. One that naturally could only be responded to through merciless and violent suppression. This term has rarely if ever been used to describe the behavior of whites or Europeans, perhaps with exception to the very poor. It’s a term that removes all political context from the action. The reason the mutinous Indian soldiers rose up against the British is of no consequence as long as they are label as looters and not the actions of people who toiled under oppression.
It is wrong to assume the acts of theft are related to the protests, indeed they are vastly the minority. They are exploiting the redirection of police attention. To equate the protests and acts of theft as one event is a useful tool to silence the message of the oppressed.
A crucial distinction must be made about what constitutes “violence”. There is little, if indeed any at all, violence between one citizen and another. These are not riots. These are not brawls. The violent conflicts on display were between civilians and police. Civilians that are vastly, vastly outgunned, if you will. It is and has been demonstrated to be true that protests usually devolve into violence only when the police show up en masse in military grade riot gear – out of place, seeing as they are not at a riot, unless you count that it isn’t a riot until someone shows up dressed for one.
In fact, this can be seen presently: as soon as cities decided to pull back their police forces – largely in response to the cascading number of videos display the reprehensible and disproportionate response by the police – the occurrence of destructive mischief decreased dramatically.
Lastly, property destruction is not violence. It’s not defensible but it is also not violence. And it certainly not a criminal act that justifies the use of force.
We are witnessing the reaction of a people that have lived under the boot of oppression for, well, ever. The racism being discussed is not (only) that of white hoods and pejorative words. It’s of underfunded education and social programs. It’s of black women who, in spite of every control for education, economic status, and such, still have worse maternal outcomes in pregnancy and birth. And so on.
The outcry against destruction and violence must first be directed towards those with whom it began.
Well said, Carla. Thank you for explaining the depth and intricacies of the current situation(s). Clarity is so needed right now.
Dear Carla and Steve,
This has been an awakening to so many of us. I am hoping it is the tipping point for a radical change in our system of justice. I appreciate what you are doing. I’m not in good enough health to march and my income has changed dramatically the past few years but I can write letters, make phone calls, sign petitions and make small contributions. Also, I would love to take classes from any new artists you choose. I will also recommend artists after I’ve done some thinking about who I know.
Love to you both,
Jacque Chinnery
Dear Carla and Steve, I hear you and resonate 💕Our biases, if they are unconscious, are not choices. We are the products of our own enculturation. That’s not an excuse, but does help some with the guilt and regret good people are feeling. . As Pema Chodron says, “Start where you are” and do better—. to learn, to change, to do what you can. Love to you both, Karen
Thanks for this post, Carla and Steve. Glad you are going to add teachers of color. We must all keep our feet on the gas. ❤️
I am so touched by your sharing and your inviting us all in to where you are right now. You’re not there alone. The threat of being exposed to the virus is keeping me from being on the streets protesting but I am looking for other ways to add support to this crucial movement, As artists we have a powerful communication tool. I’m looking for ways to express that support through my art. Thank you for all your kindnesses in these trying times. I keep thinking of Mr. Rogers and his reminder of what to do when terrible things are happening, “Look for the helpers.”
I appreciate your message and will definitely keep my foot on the gas.
Go to David J Harris Jr.
He is a black man who will tell you the truth of the Matter!.
Sorry you have wasted your time with all these lunatics and what you have seen on tv. Its not what you think.
CARLA, you dont deserve to feel guilty about anything.
Just watch. Darleen pringl
I am keeping my foot on the gas. Reading. Conversing. Wondering. Loving with all my might.
Your post is brave and so well said. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate hearing from public figures (and you are a public figure!) that are willing to take a stand.
I am an old Oakland girl – though I now live the fantasy land of Victoria BC. – and I do still believe that, shoulders to the wheel, we can make positive changes.
Thank you Carla and Steve for using your voice – Good on you both!
Yes, overwhelmed. Yes, talking about this with my husband. We are former 40-yr Oakland residents now in Portland, OR. There is much to be done and it will take time and a lot of patience — with ourselves and others. As with any journey, it starts with one step.