Sermon today – our priest mentioned the need to feel insignificant when hearing the issues that a marginalized person speaks of as otherwise, we cannot properly sympathize. Not her exact words but the feeling I got as I listened. I get this. I recognize it is something that is problematic for me.
I live in a multigenerational, multi-racial, multi-cultural, low-income apartment complex. I am too heavy but am 71, only 5’3” tall and a white woman. As a woman in a predominately male work environment, I had lots of practice making myself appear, larger than life; an imposing figure who was knowledgeable and worthy of the respect of those I worked with. I had to in order to make it in my work world.
I now see that as an impediment to getting along with my current neighbors as I can seem arrogant. I need to practice being vulnerable that I may see the world as they see it rather than as a white woman sitting at the top of the heap.
