Check Out Dr. Tarece on the Power & Necessity of 'Both / And'
You might have heard the phrase that, “Two things can be true at once.”
Current events in Israel and Palestine have made this a tough week for millions of us worldwide.
I have found the most solace and relevant insights in the company of my fellow #BLEWISH folks, especially those who, like the awesome Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan, have the clarity to help us recognize and support healthier and more inclusive ways of viewing the world—and ourselves as we struggle to navigate these and other bumpy stretches.
Life at these intersections can be especially complex in times like these. We live and breathe at the nexus of ancestry, heritage, politics, culture, religion, and other realities as various groups and factions take aim at each other, too often with devastating results.
Dr. Tarece, as we call her, came through with a marvelous vision of how we can enlarge our visions to work towards the progress and evolution that we deserve. She is an author, advocate, actress, artist, educational leader, poet, speaker, public servant, and learning facilitator. With a doctorate in Education, she is an acclaimed leader in diversity, inclusion, equity, justice, and belonging, committed to making a difference through profound love, art, and service. Dr. Tarece is globally minded and dedicated to multicultural and multilingual learning. She is also an advocate for mental health and wellness, spirituality, education, economic and community development, and liberation.
I found great insights, comfort, and inspiration in her recent piece on the ‘Both / And Mindset,’ and share it here for you.
‘Both / And’ Mindset by Dr. Tarece Johnson-Morgan
Both/And Mindset is a thought process to help us understand that multiple things can be true at the same time. It is intersectional contemplation. It is knowing that there is not always just one way to think.
This mindset challenges us to engage in a more conscious thinking process. Both/And may not always be the answer, but it is important to be intentional in considering various perspectives. This mindset helps us to critically think about differences, not as wrong or bad, but as possibilities.
Our backgrounds, experiences, histories, learning, etc. are all part of WHO we are, and they influence how we process our thoughts. We are intersectional beings, and Both/And Mindset considers all the parts of our identity. It encourages diverse perspectives, distinct ways to get to the same outcome, and engages conscious decision making. Both/And Mindset is being open minded, objective, and empathetic. It is seeing another point of view and being receptive to other ways to reach a conclusion.
Note: It is published on Medium, which might require you to open a free account. It’s worth it for this and future pieces from Dr. Tarece. Enjoy!
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