I originally shared this on my personal Instagram account a few days ago, but it felt important enough to reshare here on my blog.
Art Created by @arielsinhaha
I don’t know if have the right words to convey the many emotions that have come up this week … but I’m going to try.
Like most Americans, I have been horrified at the events of the last few days. It’s brought up big conversations between myself and the kids, between me and Randy and between myself and friends here on social media. I have seen many of my friends, who are people of color, shed light and speak their fears and my heart has been so full of angst and sadness for them. I honest to God had no idea how many black mothers and fathers I am friends with have had to deal with the fear for their children’s lives, simply because of their skin color.
I won’t pretend to understand what it’s like to be a person of color – as a white, middle class, educated, privileged woman, I can never understand. Not fully. But I can stand up, speak out, listen and do my best to be part of the solution.
I’ll admit, I didn’t understand the kneeling during the anthem thing. It bothered me, it felt disrespectful … but now, I get it. After a black man (Armaud Arbery) was murdered in cold blood for jogging in a neighborhood less than an hour from me when we lived in Georgia, something inside of me woke up. Now, with the overwhelming stories of prejudiced brutality flooding my social media, I can understand why it’s gotten to this point. Rage and injustice can make the most rational people do the most irrational things. If my family and ancestors had been raped, pillaged, hunted, persecuted and murdered for the last 400 years in this “free” country … I can’t say I wouldn’t be burning shit down, too.
I won’t argue with anyone about whether it’s okay or not to burn down buildings, riot and loot … it’s obviously illegal and it breaks my heart to see businesses, employers and employees suffer. But, let’s not forget: a riot is the language of the unheard, prophetic words spoken by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Equally important: Let us not forget what he said next during that speech, which was: “What is it that America has failed to hear?” … so I guess what I’m trying to say is: I’m here, and I’m listening. 🙏
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