Tikkun Olam ? Standing Up for Black Mothers
This Hustle Like a Mom community is a lifeline to so many of us, especially during these trying and testing times. And, my Sunday Newsletter isn’t just packed with mompreneur motivation, tips and wellness, it’s my love letter to all of you. This week’s Hustle Like a Mom Newsletter focused on wholeness, and I felt it should live as a blog post. As always, I welcome your comments.
From the June 9, 2020 Hustle Like a Mom Newsletter
As we navigate this important moment in the fight for justice and true equality for all, many of you (myself included) might be struggling to unpack and download all that has occurred.
How do we put to words the emotions, the confusion, the clarity, the desire to do the right thing? What is the right thing? What is the right action?
TIKKUN OLAM
Tikkun Olam is a Hebrew phrase that means “to correct/to fix the world.” It is a core principle and a philosophy by which Jews are asked to live by.
Two weeks ago, some Jews participated in Tikkun Leil Shavuot, an all-nighter festival of learning Torah and other really cool stuff all, usually, somehow connected back to revelations, redemption, humanity, and hope.
As I fished for words to convey with this amazing Hustle Like a Mom community, about the actions one can take with respect to injustices that continue to stifle the voices and economic development of black citizens in our country, I’ve decided to share some pearls of wisdom from the all-nighter I pulled two weeks ago. (Note: I participated in the JCC of Manhattan’s Tikkun, and I can’t recall every person that said the below statements, as I was learning from 8pm-6am. But CLICK HERE for the classes, that were recorded!)
BE AN UPSTANDER, NOT A BYSTANDER
- Take ownership of your world. It’s within you to bring the world to a state of wholeness (IMAGINE, IF YOU BELIEVED THE WORK YOU DID IN YOUR HOME, THE EDUCATION YOU GAVE YOUR CHILDREN WAS AN ACT OF BRINGING WHOLENESS TO OUR COUNTRY AND SUPPORTING BLACK MOTHERS, BY RAISING ACTIVE ANTI-RACIST CHILDREN?)
- Always be in a state of learning. Be humble. (WHAT IF YOU CREATE A TRIBE OF WOMEN THAT DON’T LOOK LIKE YOU? WHAT IF YOU VIBE AND SHARE AND GROW TOGETHER? WOW, HOW OUR CHILDREN WILL BENEFIT FROM THIS, AS WILL WE!)
- You must choose where you attend, where you raise your hand. (WHAT IF YOU RAISE YOUR HAND WHEN YOU HERE/SEE INJUSTICE? WHAT IF YOUR CHALLENGE OF WHAT IS, LEADS US ONE STEP CLOSER TO DISMANTALLING SYSTEMS AND THOUGHT PATTERNS THAT DIVIDE US?)
- Revelation can be trauma; it can be a deep disruption of what has been. Revaluation can lead to a falling apart and a need for a new existence. (DID ANYONE SAY NEW RULES? YES!)
What You Can Expect from HLAM
- This company will continue to have a diverse pool of talented mompreneur voices on IGlives, speaking at in-person mingles/networking events, and teaching during virtual workshops.
- I will be expanding my network even further, so that this mompreneur cheerleader does a better job of showcasing black-owned mom businesses. I’m gathering a list, shopping and sharing my favorite finds in organic and authentic way, as always. I know that the best way to support a mompreneur (and her family) is to buy her goods.
- I will continue to do homework to better understand the challenges black mompreneurs face, the full rich history of black Americans, as well as the inequalities that plague our education system. Finds will be shared on PamelaPekerman.com.
SILENCE IS THE ONLY SIN
The ability for every mother to see and hear George Floyd cry out for his own mother as he was brutally murdered by a police officer, was a CALL TO ARMS FOR ALL MOTHERS.
Don’t be silent when a friend shares an inappropriate “joke”. Don’t be silent when you see policies seeping in systemic racism. Don’t be silent when black mothers cry for their sons and daughters.
THEY CAME FOR ME
I’ll end this very long note with a quote from Pastor Martin Niemoller:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
Thank you for sticking around to read this blog. I welcome your feedback.
And, I welcome you to join the Hustle Like a Mom (HLAM) community to get Sunday Newsletters, updates on future events/virtual mompreneur workshops, and heartfelt dose of momprenuer love to help all of us build a bridge from mom life to entrepreneur life.
