Deep Breath…

2020 you are no picnic.

I am white. I am a white woman who lives in a largely white community. 

I am 51 years old and of those 51 years I have never lived in a diverse community.

My only experiences with being a minority have been when I have traveled. Because of my travels both around the US and internationally, I do know what it feels like to look around and no one looks, dresses, acts like you. However, those experiences are very limited providing the tiniest glimpse of what it may feel like to stand out because of your skin, dress, language.

I am sad.

I am frustrated by the misrepresentation of history I have witnessed by some on social media.

There is a lot I don’t know, but I am open to learning. Learning without experiencing isn’t as effective but it is the best I can do.

 I highly recommend reading

Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson

Bryan Stevenson is the founder of the  Equal Justice Initiative – a legal practice dedicated to defending the poor, wrongly condemned and women and children who are trapped in the darkest holes of the criminal system. With a focus on justice and mercy the true stories shared in this book are shocking and deeply moving. This was a very eye opening book for me.

Warriors don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals

I used this Memoir a lot in the classroom. As the author shares her story she is a junior at Central High in Little Rock Arkansas at the very epicenter of integration in 1957. Her experience and bravery are remarkable. A must read

While the World Watched by Carolyn Maull McKinstry

This is another deeply moving memoir. 15 year old Carolyn was only feet away when a Klan planted a bomb exploded killing 4 or her friends. Carolyn’s eye witness account of what it was like to grow up in the Jim Crow South, with bombings, riots, and assassinations to the historic marches and triumphs that characterized the Civil Rights era are deeply soul stirring and shocking. 

What these two women write about and countless others have/are experiencing brings to mind a quote from Martin Luther King Jr.

“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”

These are books I have already read which opened my eyes to something I couldn’t imagine in my own life. These people’s true stories are inspiring and thought provoking.

If you know of other great books dealing with racism in America I would love to hear your recommendations.

My heart breaks today for those who are demonstrating and exercising their American rights to assemble and protest against an unjust system. A system (found in some areas of our society) that not only allows mistreatment and murder, but also apparently allows you to stand by and allow someone else to do it.

“Never, never be afraid to do what’s right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society’s punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” MLK Jr.

Of course we should protest! But their just voices are being overshadowed by those who clearly have an entirely different agenda. Let’s not confuse the protesters from the rioters. They are not the same.  We should speak up when there is abuse, cruelty and mistreatment. That is the true spirit of America. Love is always the right way.

Powerful Quotes from Martin Luther King Jr.

1. “Love is the only force capable of transf_orming an enemy into a friend.”

2. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”

3. “The time is always right to do what is right.”

4. “The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education.”

5. “When evil men plot, good men must plan. When evil men burn and bomb, good men must build and bind. When evil men shout ugly words of hatred, good men must commit themselves to the glories of love.”

We all have the Power of Love. Let’s use it!

Shelly

PS – Did I loan you Just Mercy? If so I would love to have it back! 🙂