Being a Champion for Change is very much like 12-step Recovery
We live in a world that is progressing, ever-changing, and evolving in so many ways; but is that evolution diverse, equitable, and inclusive? Are we truly, moving forward, as it pertains to equity in America, or are we just beginning to move the needle? Are we operating as a WOKE (Anti-Racist) society? Do we even understand what it means to be WOKE?
Being WOKE is defined by Wikipedia as: A term that refers to awareness of issues that concern social justice and racial justice.
Being WOKE is defined by Merriam-Webster Dictionary as: Being aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).
Being WOKE is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as: Well-informed, up-to-date, and alert to racial or social discrimination and injustice.
Being WOKE is defined by One Urban Dictionary as: Being aware of the truth behind things ‘the man’ doesn’t want you to know.
Perhaps these are 12-steps we can take to be WOKE and an authentic Champion for Change:
1. We admitted we were powerless over people, systems, and situations of inequity, yet responsible for our own self-examination, choices, and behaviors that contribute to, or fight against, bringing inequity and harm to others.
2. Came to believe that my action, or lack of action, directly contributes to the problem, or I can become a part of the solution.
3. Made a decision be a no-harm champion for all.
4. Took a courageous self-examination of my own biases, prejudices, and harmful or dismissive actions towards others.
5. Admitted my defects honestly and without rationalization.
6. Became ready, willing, and able to learn, and change my harmful behavior through awareness, action, and advocacy for others.
7. Asked for help to accomplish the goal of becoming an effective no-harm champion for all.
8. Made a list of people, systems, and organizations that I could support in my quest to become a no-harm champion.
9. Offered my time, talent, and treasure to help the world become a better, more equitable and inclusive place for all.
10.Continued to be aware of my own behavior, while intentionally striving to help create an authentic sense of belonging for others.
11.Remembering that my silence makes me complicit in the problem.
12.Having become WOKE, as the result of these steps, I tried to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all my affairs.
Programs of recovery are famous for teaching the benefits of the 12-steps. The book and the program, Alcoholics Anonymous, has a three-fold focus of Recovery (12-steps), Unity (Fellowship), and Service (Helping Others) which proves successful for many battling issues of addiction (and many other challenges). The combination of having a guide, along with peers who are striving for a common goal (sobriety), and an attitude of helping others, is a powerful combination.
This same dynamic applies to being a WOKE, No-Harm Champion who is intentional about positively and equitably contributing to every human being’s inherent need to belong. We all play a part. What’s your role? What’s your commitment? What will you do to help make this world a better place?
My commitment is to be a no-harm champion! Join me, let’s do this together – one person, one family, one community at a time!
“In this space, we commit to being a no-harm champion. A no-harm champion is intentionally and purposefully anti-racist; diverse in thought; equitable in action and inclusive, at all times.” – Angel Michelle Chapman, JD
“The best friend that hate has is silence.” – Dr. Eddie Moore, Jr.
“Dream but stay woke.”– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
You’ve got this! Go for it; and if you have not already done so, please subscribe below to stay inspired and learn more about how to keep it moving in 2021!