If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. - African Proverb.
The state of the world feels heavy right now. In addition to everything we have experienced and borne witness to in 2024, the first 8 days of 2025 are essentially, doubling down. With major shifts in Canadian politics, DEI efforts being deprioritized in many organizations, and troubling announcements from Meta aligning with harmful narratives - and so much more - it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and even tempted to despair. For many, it feels like the ground is shifting beneath us.
But for BIPOC communities and organizations, this is not unfamiliar terrain. Historically and chronically ignored, underserved, and underfunded, we have learned to adapt, to resist, and to thrive despite systems working against us. We’ve weathered countless storms before, and we’ll weather this one too. We may need to transform how we do the work, but we will still do the work.
It’s okay to feel discouraged in moments like this. It’s tempting to believe that the weight of it all rests on your shoulders alone. But history reminds us of a different truth: when our ancestors faced impossible odds, they came together. They walked together. They survived because they prioritized connection and community, knowing that isolation only serves systems of oppression.
Our world is designed to keep us apart, to keep us feeling isolated and powerless. But just as our ancestors taught us, we can resist that narrative. It may be hard, uncomfortable, even scary to take that first step or to lean in more deeply—but community is where we find strength. Community is how we fight back against white supremacy culture (and capitalism). We all need community and we are going to need it even more in the coming years.
One of the hallmarks of white supremacy culture is the constant pressure to act quickly, to produce results immediately, and to prioritize speed over care. This “sense of urgency” creates a false narrative that there is no time to slow down, reflect, or connect. It forces us into a state of reactive living, where building relationships and nurturing community are pushed aside in favor of immediate tasks. For example, we might skip reaching out to a friend or joining a meaningful discussion because it feels like there’s too much to do. But slowing down to connect with others is not a luxury; it is a necessity for our collective well-being.
Another characteristic of white supremacy culture is individualism—the belief that we must tackle challenges alone and that asking for help is a sign of weakness. This mindset isolates us, making us feel like the weight of the world rests solely on our shoulders. In reality, our strength lies in our ability to come together. Our ancestors understood this deeply. They knew that survival and progress depended on community, on supporting and uplifting one another. Today, when we lean into community, we not only share the burden, but we also amplify our collective power.
Perfectionism is another trait that keeps us from connecting with others. It’s the idea that everything we do must be flawless, and if it’s not, we are unworthy. This mindset often prevents us from taking the first step toward community, whether it’s reaching out to someone new, attending an event, or sharing our thoughts in a group. We fear being judged or making mistakes. But connection isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up as our authentic selves and embracing the messy, imperfect nature of humanity.
Overcoming these barriers requires intentionality and action - it is the “anti-” in “anti-oppression”, in “anti-racism”. It may feel hard, uncomfortable, or even scary to take that first step toward connection, but it is worth it. Community is where we find strength, resilience, and hope. It is where we are reminded that we are not alone in this work or in this world. It can be resistance. It can be anti-racism work. This is why it is one of MAR’s core values as an organization.
“Relationship and connection are at the heart of everything we do in MAR. We are a community where everyone is valued, where we can show up as we are, and where we support each other with grace when we struggle.”
This month, I invite you to slow down. Step out of the stories of urgency and "shoulds" that dominate our lives. Instead, make time to connect, to laugh, to find joy, to experience your humanity in connection to another’s—whether that’s with your family, reaching out to friends, or joining an event or discussion with people navigating life in ways that resonate with you.
If you’re not sure where to start, we welcome you to join the MAR community or attend one of our events. Together, we can continue to dismantle systems of oppression and work toward the world we want—one step, one conversation, one act of solidarity at a time.
We are not meant to do this work alone. As the African Proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Let’s choose to go far—together.
#CommunityOverDespair #ResilienceInAction #CollectiveLiberation #MomsAgainstRacism #StrongerTogether
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