Equity Statement

[This statement was developed with critical mentorship from Empress Rules. My colleagues, including Eliza Hofkosh-Hulbert, ND, LAc, and Michael McMahon, LAc, LMT, also provided some of the language I have chosen to use.]

Whiteness has harmed many.  It is at the root of systemic oppression, socioeconomic inequity as well as colonial land occupation, indigenous genocide and the historical trauma of generations of Black people, Indigenous people and people of culture.  Specifically these communities continue to receive inadequate and often harmful healthcare because of white supremacy.

I acknowledge that I practice and benefit from the wisdom and legacies of non-western and indigenous systems of medicine in which I was not born into.  I am deeply grateful to be included.

It is my responsibility and honor to continuously define (and refine) what is meant by holding safe and affirming space for Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Culture; People identifying as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Asexual, Questioning and Queer; Trans, Two-spirited and non-conforming/non-binary People; People of different sizes and abilities, Neurodivergent people;  Poor people; Undocumented and Marginalize people. 

This commitment is important to me.  Actions I am taking to realize Equity:

• I pledge to respect, support, accept and listen to each client, knowing they are the authority of their own body and experience.

• I commit to championing informed consent for each client.

• I acknowledge the power dynamic inherently created in the Practitioner/Client relationship.  I commit to empowering my clients and colleagues.

• I pledge to continue my unlearning through trauma-informed, intersectional and equitable personal development centering the experience of Women, Black People, Indigenous People and Communities of Culture. 

• I commit to fostering a diverse community of colleagues in which I may collaborate and grow.

• I pledge to speak truth to the discriminatory history of Chinese Medicine in the United States and coopted practices within the natural medicine sphere.

• I pledge to give credit to culture and people who developed the wisdom and lineage in which I practice.

• I commit to annually re-evaluate where I am in this journey and intentionally recommit the investigation of my own internalized whiteness and implicit bias. 

• I completed a 14-month training called Decolonizing Wellness led by EmpressRules.net

• I pledge to donate free and reduced-rates services to Black, Indigenous and Communities of Culture. (Inquire here to book an appointment)

• I commit to offering an equitable sliding-scale rental structure to the tenants of the Portland Wellness Collective.

• Healthcare should not be a luxury, nor should anyone be priced out of receiving care. If my services are out of your price range, please ask for help.

I am currently (2023):

• re-evaluate where I am in this journey and intentionally recommit to this process each January. (Join me and hold me accountable!)

• educating myself on the history of white supremacy by intentionally choosing books, movies, music and education that is created by Black people, Indigenous people and people of Culture.

Important resources that I have learned from:

“My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies”, by Resmaa Menakem

“White Supremacy Culture”, by Tema Okun

“I Am Not Your Negro | Film of James Baldwin’s Words on Race in America

“Radical Dharma: Talking Race, Love and Liberation”, by Rev. angle Kyodo williams, Lama Rod Owens, Jasmine Syedullah

@ckyourprivilege, @equitablegivingcircle, @drtamsinlee, @indigenousrising, @nmaahc

“Find Your Roots”, Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. - PBS