I'm not going to rehash the issues on the table right now. If you're interested or unaware find a reliable news site and educate yourself. Until we know what's happening in the world and develop our own beliefs, opinions and ideas on the issues we really can't get past just acknowledging there's a problem.
So today in my attempts to unravel everything going on I decided to visit with my cousin, she is half African American, I just wanted to try and understand her point of view. I wanted to know her feelings and I was serisouly hoping to get some sort of direction about what I'm supposed to do from here.
Here's about how successful our conversation was:
Okay it was more successful than that. But boy oh boy did that feel #relatable.
Here's a few of the conclusions and thoughts I got during our conversation that I felt should be passed on:
1. There is no easy solution. Most of us (or maybe just some of us... just me? Okay) want someone to just tell us what we should be doing to fix this. The hard truth is this is a complex and multi-layered issue there isn't a clear answer to help everyone. But I have come up with a simple 2 step program to solve this little issue:
•First examine yourself. Ask yourself the hard questions! Do I judge people who a different than I am? Do I judge someome off what they look like, what they're wearing or what someone said about them? Do I have beliefs or ideas that cause harm to others? Am I kind? It's only through honest self examinations we can determine who we truly are. And make necessary changes! It won't be easy but I beleive it is possible and the only way to change the world is through changing and improving ourselves.
•Second we must seek wisdom from someone greater than ourselves. For me that would be God. Maybe you believe in another spiritual guidance or universe or whatever. But I believe we have a God who loves us and want's to help us. If we ask Him, willing to act on our answers, who we should be, how we should live and how we can help heal the world we will get an answer. No matter the answer we need to be willing to act on it! That's the only way this will be possible.
2. We all have a voice and we all have something we can share. It's easy to feel like what we say won't make a difference or like no one cares about our thoughts and feelings. Not true my friends! You have a unique view of the world and it is needed. Don't devalue what you beleive and feel because you're not a POC or because you're still learning. If you feel inspired to share do it, and if you don't feel comfortable or ready or knowledgeable enough that's okay too. There are other options than spouting your ideas and agree with the injustice in the world. This blog from my sister did a great job discussing another option for those unsure what to do right now.
3. We need to cultivate a society of tolerance. The most important thing to fighting racism, sexism, abuse, mental illness and any other virus in the world is the ability to openly and honestly discuss it. My cousin did a beautiful job writing some of her thoughts and feelings online and she told me that she had spent a good half an hour writing and revising her post and she removed an entire paragraph because she didn't want to "stir the pot" too much. This is an incredibly difficult topic to discuss, and feelings are definitely running high at the moment. But we have to be able to discuss our feelings and beliefs with others free of fear of judgment or offence. I'm not saying it's easy but until we can openly discuss the issues of today we will never have the power to change them.
4. Finally there is hope. There is more that unites us than divides us. Believe in love. Learn to forgive. Don't give up on the world. You can make a difference on the planet. Most importantly you are not accountable for the sins of your parents or your race. There is good and bad in every person. Be the best you can be today and go forward open and willing to be better than you were yesterday. And always, be kind everybody.
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