Statement of Solidarity

Dear Friends,

At this time of deep crisis and opportunity, on both personal and collective levels, it feels especially important to take a clear and definite stand against the systemic racism that has brought us to this moment in history. I am outraged and grief-stricken by the institutionalized violence perpetrated against Black, Brown and Indigenous people by colonial settler societies for over 400 years. I stand in solidarity with activists who are speaking out against this injustice and helping us all to get educated about this critical issue. As a white-bodied person with unearned privilege, I take responsibility to dismantle white supremacy within my own mind and body and to take action against racial inequality. 

This commitment  includes being aware of the cultural appropriation that I have engaged in during my career as a teacher and practitioner of Āyurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Hatha Yoga by developing policies and practices that contribute to acknowledging and repairing the harm that I have intentionally or unintentionally caused by doing so. I was drawn to Yoga and Āyurveda in my teens because it provided a meaningful and soulful alternative to the American consumer culture that I was raised in. During the 1990's the integrative medicine movement was just taking hold in conventional medical institutions and this inspired me to study these systems to take part in this exciting shift. I worked directly in the development of integrative medical programs at the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Santa Barbara Cancer Center, Hospice of Santa Barbara and the Alzheimer's Association. I am proud of that work and continue to be inspired to contribute to the healing of society and conventional medical culture by sharing these modalities. While I have always striven to represent them with respect for their cultural roots I also recognize that it is important to contribute in material ways to organizations helping to preserve these traditions in their native cultures and resist modern day colonization and commodification. 

It is for this reason that I make these commitments: 

• Listen to BIPOC voices and leadership

• Re-call the names of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Sandra Bland, Atatiana Jefferson, and the many, many others, including those whose names we don’t know, who have been victims of police brutality and white supremacy

• Take personal responsibility for getting educated and talking about what I learn with other white folks

• Be a co-conspirator with those who have experienced oppression and trauma due to racist policies so that I may be an ally in this work

• Continue to donate time and money to organizations and individuals that are tackling police brutality, racism, white supremacy and cultural appropriation. Here are the orgs I am supporting:

  • NAACP Secures the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.

  • Movement for Black Lives A space for Black organizations across the country to debate and discuss the current political conditions, develop shared assessments of what political interventions were necessary in order to achieve key policy, cultural and political wins, convene organizational leadership in order to debate and co-create a shared movement wide strategy.

  • SURJ (Showing Up for Racial Justice) is a national network of groups and individuals working to undermine white supremacy and to work toward racial justice,

  • Sogorea Te’ Landtrust is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust based in the San Francisco Bay Area that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people.

  • Navdanya is a movement for Earth Democracy based on the philosophy of 'Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam' (The Earth as one Family). They protect India's biodiversity based food heritage through Bija Swaraj, Ann Swaraj, Bhu Swaraj and Gyan Swaraj.

  • Vadiyagrama is a healing village in Tamil Nadu. A community of Ayurveda hospitals, that is authentic and provides authentic treatment, a space that will be green and environment-friendly, a space that follows the principles of Ayurveda and vastu shastra.

  • Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition fighting against racism and racial injustice targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Together, we work with local communities and government stakeholders to document the rise of anti-AAPI hate and dismantle the systems that allow it to persist.

  • Support BBIPOC (Black, Brown, and Indigenous People of Color) Dharma and Yoga teachers and centers and form alliances with these individuals and organizations to bring their work to the attention of our community.

  • Creating an atmosphere that is accessible, welcoming, and safe for BBIPOC in our classes and events

For the past three years, I’ve been a part of White Men for Racial Justice (WMRJ), an anti-racist pro-justice community of practice rooted in personal transformation, relationships of mutual accountability, and taking action in our spheres of influence. Learn more about WMRJ by following this link: wmrj.org 

At this moment there seems to be a chance for real change to occur. This moment is calling for us to be loud and clear about where I stand and I hope that it inspires others to do the same. May we be agents of change in whatever way we can right now and always.

Stay engaged and stay well,
Scott