Black Lives DO Matter

I've sat on this and sat on it, thinking about what I'd say. And over the past couple of weeks, my thoughts have actually changed. Not dramatically, but none the less, changed. My heart bleeds for the family of George Floyd. This tragedy should have never happened. I think that we all have gotten so comfortable that we haven't seen what we needed to see until now. We need to feel uncomfortable. We need to have those uncomfortable conversations. We need to deal with this head on and direct if there is to be ANY kind of social or civil change in this country.

I was one of those that would shout back (of course, I didn't really shout, but I thought) ALL LIVES MATTER, when I saw people carrying signs that said BLACK LIVES MATTER.

                                                 

 But then, my son, my wise, college son, sent me a tictoc one day that explained what that statement actually means. And I don't think white people really get it. I know I didn't until I saw that video and listened to my son. I have family and friends that rally back, ALL LIVES MATTER, when they see the sign BLACK LIVES MATTER. And they are not racist, they are caring people who are concerned about what is happening to black people around the world, just like black people are. But they don't get the meaning. Saying BLACK LIVES MATTER doesn't mean that other lives don't matter. It means that black lives are the ones in danger right now. Not white lives, or brown lives, or red lives, or any other lives, for the most part. Black people's lives are the ones who are being taken and sometimes for no other reason than hate. As the tictoc video explained, if we were trying to help an endangered animal species, we wouldn't go around holding up signs that said, ALL ANIMAL LIVES MATTER.
                   
We would say that ALL EAGLES LIVES MATTER or ALL WOLVES LIVES MATTER. Right? Well, that's what the BLACK LIVES MATTER movement means. And I understand that now and will shout it from the rooftops.

I want to plead with people not to generalize, to look for the good in people. God created us in His image. That means that all people are generally good. Some, you have to look a bit deeper than others, but the good is in there somewhere. We need to stop judging by the color of someone's skin, their religion, the number of tattoos that have, or the style of their hair. Those things don't "make the person". What's in their heart does. Not all white people are racist, not all cops are bad. The old saying, "One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch" is true.

                                                                           
The actions of bad people sometimes give their face, profession, lifestyle a bad name.  It's so sad that a death like George Floyd, has to happen to get people rallying and looking into themselves at the kind of person they are. It's sad that something like a senseless killing has to happen to make people change their way of thinking.

I pray for the future of our country. All of us have a dream, just like Dr. ML King, that one day our country will live in harmony and look at each other as fellow human beings who live on this planet, trying to survive their jobs, and marriages, and problems. That we are all working towards common goals, to be happy, to be accepted, and to be loved.

These Challenging Days

The days are long and for some people, unbearable. Who would have thought the year 2020 would bring a pandemic of this magnitude. It IS hard, but it doesn't have to be unbearable. The characteristic in humans that binds us all together is the crucial need for companionship and social interactions. We were not made to be alone. We all need physical touch and the need to feel wanted and useful.

In the days ahead, try to make phone calls with loved ones. Write letters. Before the pandemic started, I made a vow to myself to write a letter to one family member or friend each week starting the first Sunday of January. I get such enjoyment out of sitting down and putting my feelings down on paper for the family or friend I am writing to.

This can be a time to re-evaluate your life and what is important to you. Some people have lost their jobs. Some will have to find something else quickly in order to pay bills. But others might have time on their side, being able to look at what kind of job they actually want and are passionate about. This can be an exciting time to learn about things that you've always wondered about or questioned. You could take an online class or two. Read that all-American novel that you've always wanted to read. Pick up a hobby. Start gardening or baking. Look on YouTube and find out how to crochet an afghan.

This can be a detriment or a chance in a lifetime. Look at the positive side. Yes, people are dying. That is a reality. A horrible reality. It IS serious. But we all have a choice as to how we handle things. Life throws us punches daily and how we react to them and what we bring out of it, tells the person we are.

So, stay inside and follow the rules during this difficult time. But stay in contact with people as much as you can through computers, telephones, letters, or yelling across the street. Come out of this pandemic better for having lived through it. We will make it through and I have a feeling that there will be some new habits, hobbies, and ways of life forming after this is all over.

Stay safe.