Hakomi Statement Against Oppression

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June 18.2020

Dear all,

We are grief stricken, angry, and sickened by the recent murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, David McAtee, Ahmaud Arbery, Rayshard Brooks and Tony McDade in the United States, Adama Traoré in France, DeAndre Campbell in Canada, David Dungay in Australia and Joao Pedro and Marielle Franco in Brazil - and the long history of unchecked systemic murder, violence, and oppression of Black, Indigenous and People of Color at the hands of law enforcement and other individuals acting in alignment with them. We also hold in our awareness the bigoted, demeaning, aggressive, and life-threatening behaviors inflicted daily on Black, Indigenous and People of Color and other groups marginalized through systemic oppression here in the United States and in countries with a history of colonization across the world. 

As a therapeutic community that strives to alleviate suffering, we are increasingly turning inward to look at how our own biases, practices, and pedagogy unconsciously uphold systemic racism, white supremacy, colonialism, and cultural oppression to the benefit of white people. We recognize and acknowledge that some people from marginalized groups have felt uncomfortable in our trainings because the Hakomi faculty has unconsciously replicated dominant culture conditions. We’re heartbroken about this and are determined to do better. 

More specifically, the Hakomi Institute believes it is our ethical responsibility to better see the influence of the interlocking systems that are harming so many: white supremacy, anti-blackness, ableism, as well as patriarchy, misogyny, anti-semitism, and more. We need to recognize and face how these systems impact our work as teachers, therapists, and practitioners, and be accountable for the harm we cause--even if unintentional. This can begin to address our participation in systemic oppression. 

For the past several years, Hakomi faculty members across the globe have been in dialogue around issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Hakomi Institute DEI Action Group will be making concrete proposals at our international faculty meeting this summer. We believe that educating ourselves and working on our own implicit biases are the essential groundwork for change. To that end, we are committed to our own ongoing study, consultation, and personal work on these interlocking systems of oppression, and to taking actions to create real and sustained change in our organization, our trainings, and the community. We realize we are behind on this journey and this is just a start in a process requiring lifelong commitment.  

In the larger global community, we extend our hearts to those who have been victimized by collective ignorance, indifference, and violence. We want to do our part to create a just and inclusive world where everyone can thrive, and to help heal the trauma and wounding caused by racism and other systemic forms of physical and psychological violence. 

We believe Black Lives Matter.  

- The Hakomi Institute Board of Directors and members of the Hakomi DEI Action Group