A new way of seeing - Denia Bradshaw

On Sunday, Bill White spoke about interpreting scripture through use of varying lenses (e.g. literalism, moralism, Jesus, context – to name a few). And in describing the systems that govern our lives, mentioned how in general the [lens] of “patriarchy is baked into [that] system.” It reminded me of this book I read during this journey I am on of reinhabiting and recovering the “truest version of myself” (Whitaker, 2021). That book is called Quit like a Woman and is authored by Holly Whitaker. In her book, Whitaker describes the world of recovery being dominated by patriarchal influences. I did not realize how conditioned I was in my own approach to recovery and the lenses I was utilizing until reading this book. Whitaker says:

“… we need to address one of the bigger issues that women and other historically oppressed folks need to consider, which is how patriarchal structures affect the root causes of addiction, how they dominate the recovery landscape, and what that means for how we experience recovery. If we are sick from sexism, homophobia, racism, classism, microaggressions, misogyny, ableism, American capitalism, and so on—and we are—then we need to understand how recovery frameworks that were never built with us in mind can actually work against us, further pathologizing characteristics, attributes, and behaviors that have been used to keep us out of our power for millennia. We need to examine what it means for us individually and collectively when a structure built by and for upper-class white men in the early twentieth century dominates the treatment landscape.”

What I appreciate about Whitaker’s words is that it reframes the cause to be put on these broken systems rather than on the individual that is subjected to them. For someone who grew up with a lot of shame and guilt for being broken, not enough, unpure – this is so liberating. Additionally, it is important for me to remember (and be reminded) that structures created by and for specific populations whilst excluding others, as stated by Whitaker, only stigmatizes and marginalizes folks more and more. 

To me, that lens of awareness empowers me to be the author of my life, one where I get to write my own daring ending (borrowed from Brené Brown’s Manifesto of the Brave and Brokenhearted). 

All that shared, where might a change in lens be helpful for you? Is there an area in your life where you can be curious about other ways to view and understand phenomenon, patterns, people, and so forth? 

Take some time aside and reflect with God. 

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15 NLT 

Whitaker, H. (2021). Quit like a woman: The radical choice to not drink in a culture obsessed with alcohol (Trade paperback ed.). The Dial Press.