Notice

It’s easy to overlook what we’re not looking for.

In mindfulness practices of various traditions we often talk about noticing — bringing awareness and attention to our thoughts, feelings and behaviors without action or judgement.

In the 21 Day Racial Equity Habit Building Challenge in which diversity educator Dr. Eddie Moore Jr. shares one action you can do each day ”to further your understanding of power, privilege, supremacy, oppression, and equity,” there’s a resource on noticing.

“Once people start to learn about white privilege and America’s systems of oppression through history, they often ask, ‘Why didn’t I see this sooner?’ It’s easy to overlook what we’re not looking for.” — Eddie Moore, Jr.

In this challenge you watch a short video to become aware of the phenomenon of selective noticing and then are invited to take yourself on a “noticing adventure.” It includes things like:

· What is the racial mix of the main characters in your favorite TV shows? Movies?

· What is the racial mix of people pictured in the photos and artwork in your home? In your friend, family, and colleagues’ homes?

· What are the last five books you read? What is the racial mix of the authors?

· Who are your ten closest friends? What is the racial mix in this group?

What might you learn when you start noticing these things? What have you been overlooking? Does it help you understand why you didn’t see white privilege sooner?

Start noticing.

For more on the 21 day challenge go here: https://www.eddiemoorejr.com/21daychallenge