Boneson, Inc
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Newsletter
Newsletter
Last month I had an insightful talk with a member of the IntoAction home group regarding an observation that one of the hardest things for an alcoholic in recovery to give up is prejudice. Not just prejudice against religion or of a Power Greater than ourselves, but racial and sexist prejudiced and animus. No matter how hard we "work" the 12 Steps, feelings and notions on race and the opposite sex, for the most part, really aren't addressed or changed. Thus, most of the overwhelming majority of AA membership consist of middle to late aged caucasian males, a shrinking portion of the population both nationally and internationally.
Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities; this is our fundamental 12th Tradition. In the long form it reads: And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all. However, prejudice and animus are the direct opposite of anonymity, and the humility characterized by anonymity. Bill W. wrote that contempt prior to investigation was a bar to knowledge and thus recovery.(Paraphrased)
I am just a drunk who ran his life into the ground. The only degree I have is a doctorate in games, manipulation, and failure, with a major in lying, cheating and stealing. But I, perforce of a recovering spirit, humbly submit to you that racial and sexual prejudice and animus are among the root causes of the ongoing decline of AA. Unless we address it, real AA and recovery from alcohoholism will die off with us.
AA, like the western society from which it came, is diseased with elitism, racism and sexism that is rooted in religion, institutionalized false racial supremacy beliefs and the unhealed wounds of those of us that still have a beef with the Universe 149 years after Lee surrendered at Appomattox Courthouse; an event that occurred a century before all of us were born. We invite you to view the video above for an comprehensive and thorough factual analysis of the malady; to see just how insidiously deep this sickness runs in our culture and society, and some of the many ways we have suffered because of it.
Before I close, let me say the RVA AA home group SoberDreams has the best AA in Central Va. Any account of incidents or events that I ever left it are greatly exaggerated and denied.
Cool Bananas!
