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Can we make it together?  As I watched the past week unfold, it’s hard to imagine that we can.  It’s hard to fathom we are the United States!  How is it that we can advance so far in technology and so much more but yet we seem to be status quo or moving backward when it comes to skin color?  How is it that we call ourselves the land of the free yet so many live in fear because their color makes them different?

We are all created equal in the image of our creator.  We all have our perfections and our flaws which were carefully designed to live out a purposeful life.  Our skin tone does not define who we are and what we become; it’s who we are on the inside that counts the most. 

It is challenging not to feel discouraged these days.  Negativity and chaos seem to be on the move with no intention of slowing down.  It also feels overwhelming (speaking for me and those around me) of how to solve injustice…how to stop injustice!  I (we) want to take a stand but I (we) don’t know where to start or how to go about it.  What I do know is change always starts with me, then my family, then my community, and then the rest of the world.  Change starts with shifting my (and your) mindset; it starts with my self-awareness and self-reflection.  I can’t control the protests and what’s happening in America today but what I can control is doing a better job of educating myself and my daughters, preparing the next generation for a better future.  Instead of internalizing racist stereotypes, we need to be able to have open discussions about the impact these stereotypes have, only then can we start eradicating racism.  We have to identify and address racism whenever we come across it because it extends unearned privileges on some and inflicts undeserved restrictions on others.  Being open to having difficult conversations is more important than feeling uncomfortable.

United together?  Absolutely! Land of the free? No doubt about it! But only if we come together to end something that bears no good fruit other than hate, segregation, and degrading others because we think we are better, but it will take faith, love, and forgiveness.  Hate is a four-letter word but so is hope and love, so let’s change the world by focusing on the latter. 

“For once, don’t do it.  Don’t pretend there’s not a problem in America.  Don’t turn your back on racism.  Don’t accept innocent lives getting taken from us.  Don’t make any more excuses.  Don’t think this doesn’t affect you.  Don’t sit back and be silent.  Don’t think you can’t be part of the change.  Let’s all be part of the change.” Nike