06/01/2020
I’m honestly floored. I haven’t acknowledged enough, listened enough, done enough. It wasn’t intentional, I thought. I love all people, I thought (I do try to, I mean to). I felt sad about the violence and brutality and didn’t condone it, but I also didn’t see how I was part of the problem. In 2019, through traveling and moving to a new city, I realized just how ingrained racial bias is in me. I had reactions and thoughts toward people different than myself that I didn’t know I was capable of, simply because I hadn’t been around their culture enough before to see it in myself. I had lived mostly in a white bubble. I wondered this week how this was possible, that even someone who thinks they love others can still be part of the problem. It’s in our society, in our media and entertainment, in all the messaging we grew up with, and I wasn’t seeing that. I see it now, I admit it now, and I’m slowly beginning to understand the role I’ve played in staying silent and holding on to my comfort and privilege. Now I know and I can’t do nothing and still say I’m someone who loves. I don’t think it’s up to a POC or someone from another culture to educate me, but I’m grateful for all those who have been patient and gracious enough this past week to try anyway, despite what they’re going through. They take on my burden in the midst of theirs? That is truly love. So I will listen, I will seek out the truth and find the understanding I need in order to be more informed and aware. I will donate where and when I can to lift up leaders in this cause, and I will have conversations in my community about these issues that are so important-no, vital. Vital to us as humans and to our society. I will try to help others begin to see what I have begun to see. I will move in closer to others so I can learn who they are and unlearn the toxic messaging that was passed down to me. I will teach Farra what I learn, so that she doesn’t grow up with the same bias. I’m grateful for all of the true heroes out there. Thank you, I stand with you. I won’t be posting for a bit to leave room for other voices to be heard. Art:
