Anti-Oppression Statement
The staff, therapists, administration, and yoga instructors at Peace of Mind are committed to the ongoing work towards allyship and standing with our community in the face of Racism, Sexism, Ableism, Anti-Semitism, Ageism, Heterosexism, and Oppression around religion, Ethnicity, Class, Education, and Sexuality. We are on a mission to evaluate anti-racism and anti-oppression actions as a wellness center and our lives personally.
As a trauma-focused wellness center, we see racism and all forms of oppression as a trauma that needs our full attention, understanding, and experience in the therapy and yoga room. Intersectionality is a component of anti-oppression work, understanding that many people may have several different life experiences that may put them at a significant disadvantage and even danger when they live their lives. As a center, we explore these intersections and anticipate how to support our families and members that enter the door.
By engaging in monthly conversations with our consultant Tamu Lane of TKLane LLC, we collectively aim to provide a safe and supportive space for everyone and, for some of us, identify our white privilege and the roles we have played in oppression. We have committed to ourselves that we will stand in the face of racism and all form of oppression to confront and rectify situations in ourselves, our friends, family, and community.
We understand that racism and oppression is not a mental health diagnosis; it is a chosen behavior. Therefore, Peace of Mind will focus our efforts on supporting individuals that have been victims of racism and oppression.
We ask all those who enter our space to be in alignment with our beliefs and standards and our work towards allyship. Total acceptance, not tolerance, is our stance at Peace of Mind.
Saying one is trauma-focused means looking and identifying all traumas, including racism and oppression. As the Director of Peace of Mind Yoga, Counseling, and Wellness Center that is my responsiblity to the staff and our community.
Kristina Silvestry (she/her) MA, NCC, LPC, ACS, CCTP, RYT
Director, Peace of Mind Yoga, Counseling, and Wellness Center
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
— Desmond Tutu