A few months ago, one of the most experienced elders in our profession of naturopathic medicine tweeted an article about a white man that died from police brutality in a similar way that George Floyd died. He was immediately fired two hours later from NUNM where he’d taught for decades, without a question and with no discussion. He then wrote a very sincere and heartfelt letter that was aired in an organization I am a part of, called the Naturopathic medicine institute, where he teaches. I watched in horror as educated naturopathic doctors gathered around to offer golf claps for his efforts, and more than a few were dissatisfied with the apology, finding it wanting. One student wrote, “That’s good as a first step. Now it’s time to begin your education.” I felt an eerie creeping sensation as if I was watching a new Marxist regime taking over a medicine I have loved and respected.

You see, racism sucks and it needs to stop. But we also need to have discernment. We can’t be so hasty to fire people that have, in essence, done nothing wrong. Was what he did wrong? I think it may have been ill timed. Sure. But, was it worthy of him being fired? Our organizations are catering to the pressure of social justice movements and are contributing to the end of freedom of speech and empowering these extreme movements which do not represent a balanced way of addressing these issues, nor are they truly just themselves.

I didn’t respond right away because I was in shock. I didn’t sleep for days as I was digesting what I had witnessed. If this sort of extreme lack of freedom of expression can enter into a well educated profession like naturopathic medicine – which is about healing and well-being – all the way up to the PRESIDENT of a college, then, well, that’s very disturbing.

After three almost sleepless nights, I began writing. I wrote close to 10,000 words and trashed it all. It was too intellectual and not enough heart. It’s soooo difficult to address these issues without sounding like one is against… anti… it’s almost impossible.

But I still in my heart felt called to address the unhealthy side of what is happening in my profession and in the world, in a movement which also has to happen. I stand with black people for equality and love. Always have. Always will. I do not support organizations that themselves are unjust – BLM calls Israel an apartheid state and says they are responsible for the genocide of the Palestinian people. Strong and very false representation of the situation. I also do not support all the white people hate, guilt and shame around white privilege, white fragility, and forcing indoctrination to “groupthink” just like the social justice warriors or else get labelled as a racist. So, I wrote this song. It’s called “Two Ways Words. One Way Sword.” I went a little crazy and had it made into a video with some cool typography animation. I share this with love. I pray it has the effect it is intended to have.

Posted in Posts by NDs, Woke / Cancel Culture / BLM

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