I often think about the different kinds of change people are trying to make in the world, and I think of the different paths as bowling lanes. Generally speaking, change efforts fall into two lanes — one is practical and the other is philosophical. My wiring has me predisposed toward the philosophical lane. I assume this is the case for many of you as well. Unsurprisingly, a more philosophical bent is largely missing in mainstream institutions.
I’ve found myself frustrated that the more philosophical folks seem harder and harder to encounter in social change efforts, whether we’re talking organizations, NGOs and hospitals or even online social media activism.
As I’ve shared in recent letters, I only recently started finding others online who are concerned with the philosophical frameworks needed to counter the polarized state of conversation today.
Here’s why I want to talk about this.
The conversation around race, and culture, ethnic divisions and even poverty need a massive reframe. Philosophically, we need to get bold. We need to dare to think long-term. We need to ask ourselves what we are actually fighting for. The practical, linear thinkers out there handling the nitty gritty of policy and food and housing and education are tackling these issues as best they can and there are many of them. But there are not enough deep social change thinkers in the philosophical lane.
I want to “go there” with you now, and here’s the backstory:
A few days ago I started writing you a letter about how my daughter has flipped the race conversation on its head — through humor — largely because over-used social justice slogans are plastered all over kids’ educational resources, from Roblox to school libraries, such that she is able to name that over-saturation almost as a joke because kids her age (11) are now so abundantly aware of race, social justice and identity issues. So I started writing a letter to you about how she will say “that’s so racist” when I ask her to put on her soccer uniform or cleats or when I tell her that it’s time for dinner. She is a very straight-forward person and a deep thinker and I view this kind of humor as a marker of philosophical change and social progress.
But there’s a part of me that’s afraid to tell you about all this…that there are those of you who won’t or can’t place yourself in the philosophical lane without reverting to the megaphone-blasted hymns about American inequality…that everything everywhere is horrid…when in actuality the philosophical folks I referenced earlier hail from historically marginalized groups and are sounding the alarm, saying, “Hey. Wait a minute. Back up. Many of us are fine. We are not a monolith. Your narratives are outdated. It’s time for a philosophical shift.”
In other words, there is diversity within diversity. There is diversity of viewpoints within every identity category.
I’m at a crossroads. I see cracks and I’m bolstered by encountering so many philosophers traveling this lane that I breathe a sigh of relief….and yet I am afraid of the masses….
I hold the very real seriousness of American racism and all the problems we have….while I also know that the ultimate answer — that people deeply crave without naming it — is to transcend all forms of identity so that true connection can take place.
I filmed this while in the thick of my writing and research earlier this year but finally posted it a few days ago — about beauty and space and autonomy…..about free speech and respect…polarization…and most importantly, about letting individuals be individuals…about letting people be themselves…. You can follow on IG and if you’d like to chat about this tomorrow (and every other Tuesday at 5pm PST) with a small thoughtful group of philosophical types traveling on that lane, you can either update your subscription (discount link here) or you can send me a message with your interest if you want to try the call before updating your subscription (I can’t guarantee entry but please let me know more about your interest and background related to the topic).
I will also respond to comments below and am grateful for you sharing this letter onward with colleagues.
-Jenara
p.s. A few examples…
Trailer of American Fiction (must watch until the end):
A recent Roxane Gay acquisition:
Critique of mainstream anti-racism: