This is America
It can be hard to be proud of where we live sometimes. I live in a state that has received some significant attention for how people have responded to COVID-19. This pandemic has brought out the best and worst in people, and lately it's harder to find the best. I am hopeful that there is reason for optimism, but I don't take anything for granted.
However, recent events in our country have overshadowed all that.
New York.
Minnesota.
Kentucky.
Indiana.
Georgia.
Christian Cooper.
George Floyd.
Breonna Taylor.
Sean Reed.
Ahmaud Arbery.
While Mr. Cooper is still here to tell his story, the others aren't. Mr. Floyd's death has led to protests, which police have tried to stop with tear gas. An interesting reaction, given that armed protesters entered the Michigan capitol building last month wanting freedom from the "oppression" of Covid-19 restrictions and got to leave with seemingly no consequences. I have the ability to walk out my front door and run in my neighborhood without getting a second glance, yet Mr. Arbery didn't simply because of the color of his skin. Ms. Taylor served her community as an EMT yet lost her life because of another first responder. Mr Reed's death, as well as Mr Cooper's interaction, were caught and quickly shared across social media. Of course, these stories only represent a small fraction of racism across the country. The list of names and cities goes on and on.
The internet has amplified all of these instances, but for all stories that make the news there are many that don't. An African-American friend was just pulled over for no reason; the officer came to his window, looked at him, then turned and left without a word. How often do things like this happen without being reported? More than we want to even consider, I'm sure. Besides, all of these instances fall on the side of active aggression; we haven't even delved into microaggressions. It's increasingly difficult to envision how this is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The events of the last few days have also really brought our adoption journey back to the forefront of my mind. We have had to think a lot about what it would be like if we matched with an expectant family that is African-American or biracial. We were given videos about how to style African-American hair and how to help adopted children feel connected to their cultures. While we had the chance to reflect deeply on what we learned, the videos were not recent; they were recorded in the late 1990s/early 2000s. How would those videos be different if they were recorded today? I find myself questioning so much. How do we raise a child without understanding that fundamental fear so many have felt for so long?
It's always easy to say "let's have those conversations instead of hiding from them" but what comes next? Conversation without action just leads to spinning wheels. I suppose we start by being open to the hard work that comes with creating change. We find role models who speak truth and do something with it instead of just paying it lip service. We speak up for those who can't. We hold ourselves and others accountable. We love well and love often. Perhaps all that is easier said than done, but saying it is the first step.
However, recent events in our country have overshadowed all that.
New York.
Minnesota.
Kentucky.
Indiana.
Georgia.
Christian Cooper.
George Floyd.
Breonna Taylor.
Sean Reed.
Ahmaud Arbery.
While Mr. Cooper is still here to tell his story, the others aren't. Mr. Floyd's death has led to protests, which police have tried to stop with tear gas. An interesting reaction, given that armed protesters entered the Michigan capitol building last month wanting freedom from the "oppression" of Covid-19 restrictions and got to leave with seemingly no consequences. I have the ability to walk out my front door and run in my neighborhood without getting a second glance, yet Mr. Arbery didn't simply because of the color of his skin. Ms. Taylor served her community as an EMT yet lost her life because of another first responder. Mr Reed's death, as well as Mr Cooper's interaction, were caught and quickly shared across social media. Of course, these stories only represent a small fraction of racism across the country. The list of names and cities goes on and on.
The internet has amplified all of these instances, but for all stories that make the news there are many that don't. An African-American friend was just pulled over for no reason; the officer came to his window, looked at him, then turned and left without a word. How often do things like this happen without being reported? More than we want to even consider, I'm sure. Besides, all of these instances fall on the side of active aggression; we haven't even delved into microaggressions. It's increasingly difficult to envision how this is the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The events of the last few days have also really brought our adoption journey back to the forefront of my mind. We have had to think a lot about what it would be like if we matched with an expectant family that is African-American or biracial. We were given videos about how to style African-American hair and how to help adopted children feel connected to their cultures. While we had the chance to reflect deeply on what we learned, the videos were not recent; they were recorded in the late 1990s/early 2000s. How would those videos be different if they were recorded today? I find myself questioning so much. How do we raise a child without understanding that fundamental fear so many have felt for so long?
It's always easy to say "let's have those conversations instead of hiding from them" but what comes next? Conversation without action just leads to spinning wheels. I suppose we start by being open to the hard work that comes with creating change. We find role models who speak truth and do something with it instead of just paying it lip service. We speak up for those who can't. We hold ourselves and others accountable. We love well and love often. Perhaps all that is easier said than done, but saying it is the first step.
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