LET’S HAVE THE CONVERSATION
My first inclination was to keep going and not read the
post, as I have tried really hard not to pay attention to the chaos that is
ensuing across our globe. Ask anyone
they’ll tell you I have a hard time with the news and will not discuss the
violence and dismay they insist on spewing! But I read it all the way through,
without judgement and without fear of what it might bring up in me! See Im a
white woman in this country but I have always refused to see the racial
differences in anyone I meet. I meet the person and if they resonate with me Im
happy to revisit the encounter.
But what I didn't know was what my own child
had been faced with his whole life. My son is mixed and up until a couple of
years ago I had no idea he had any misgivings growing up in a white family! I
was aware enough to protect my son from obvious discrimination but I wasn't seeing
the everyday struggle he had to face in school or the military. I had turned a blind eye because I didn't not
want to see the disparity that still existed.
It hit home one day on a road trip with my son, we were on our way back
to Colorado and the highway was shut down in Wyoming. Like everyone else we got
out of the car to go into the local gas station and get some information on
timeframe or possible alternate routes. We were about 5th in line
and everyone asked their questions and paid for their purchases. When we
approached the older white gentleman his smile became stern and when we asked
if there was an alternate route we were abruptly told to go back to where we
came from! A little confused and ignorant of what this man was actually
implying I asked again if there was another way into Colorado cause that was
our home and going backward was not my intent. Again he said “I don’t know what
to tell you lady except to turn around and go back west.” With that said I
bought a map and walked out with Michael only focused on finding another route
home. It didn’t dawn on me until half
way down that mountain and everyone was asleep what that white man was actually
saying to me.
So I say lets stop being angry that it does happen, stop
pretending it doesn’t happen, and stop feeling apathy like there is nothing you
can do when it happens. Start talking about it, start loving conversations about what racism
really means to you and with the people around you. My aunt asked me if I thought it would help
to hire an all-Black squad in Baltimore, my answer is of course that might make
a huge difference, but the reality is that’s not happening with the labor laws
for racial equality in the job place. Of course you cannot just hire a black
only public police department, not without backlash. But the real reason I do not see this as
possible is because there is nothing in place fostering these youth into a
partnership with the police. They are
and will always be the Po-po to the disadvantaged communities. These young men
in these communities are targets and suspects in their own neighborhoods. Why aren’t
we talking about it more? My aunt at least wanted to have a resolution but I
think before there can be resolutions there has to be an out loud conversation about
the actual problem!
Have you ever felt like you were judged, hurt, told no just
because of the shade of your skin? Once we can get that elephant out of the
room I bet we can start working on other atrocities festering among us, like
bullying fat people and equality for all LGBTQ people young and old. Think
about it for a while, don’t feel inclined to respond to this post, make your
own post if you feel guided. Talk to your kids, text your friend, confide in
your pastor. Whatever it is you feel guided to do, just do it but do it out loud
and do it from a place of LOVE! Lets have the hard conversations and then lets
listen to each other with our hearts! It is time for all loving things to be
born anew but not until we have cast away every ounce of duality, fear and
silenceness!! We are the love and light! So Be it!
