I don't know much about fishing.
I mean, I've been fishing a couple of times. It's not pretty. I have no clue how to cast my reel, I will NOT touch the worms, it's soooo boring, I'm too loud and definitely not patient enough. It seems to pretty much just be luck but I know enough to know it's not.
I could learn about it. I have friends who fish, I live near lakes and rivers. I could afford fishing equipment if I wanted to. I could find information online. And of course I could even watch a YouTube video if I wanted.
So I guess that's the real bottom line.
I don't want to.
As I've been mulling over how there are still individuals in this country who are willing to look the other way regarding racism...who really just desire to go back to what life was like before George Floyd was murdered before our eyes on May 25th, 2020...who almost seem to dig their heels in more to be pro law and order, pro white supremacy, pro hating BLM and anything to do with dismantling the systematic racism that permeates our country and systems....I've come to this conclusion.
Racism and racial tension....is their fishing.
They could learn more. They could educate themselves. Even though they may not have experience, they could look to those that do. I'm convinced, for whatever reason, they don't want to.
Long before Derek Chauvin, J. Alexander Kueng, Thomas K. Lane, and Tou Thao murdered George Floyd...police and others have been brutalizing and murdering black people. Often without consequence. There has been outcry and marches before. There has been looting and rioting. There's been tension and polarizing viewpoints. There has also been silence.
I want to talk about that silence.
Are you staying silent because it's just easier?
Are you uncomfortable by friends and family who have racist viewpoints?
Are you really wishing everyone could just behave and respect each other?
Are you frustrated that there doesn't seem to be an end in sight?
Are you feeling emotional whiplash, sometimes getting on board, sometimes questioning?
Are you angry that everything has changed for you?
Are you feeling guilty but you aren't entirely sure why?
I'm imploring that you lean into all of that. Lean into those feelings rather than your desire to have it all go back to 'normal'. To remain silent.
We need you. The movement needs you. We need you to lean into that queasy feeling and educate yourself. We need you to push through your silence.
If you know it frustrates you that people fly the confederate flag, but you aren't really sure how to articulate it…..if you sometimes question why people can't just be nice and kind, yet you know that isn't the answer....if you know it is wrong to make assumptions about black people but you don't know how to tell others why....if you honestly believe that things aren't equal...
You need to do the work. I'm begging you to do the work. Find the people, the articles, the documentaries, the social media groups, the activists to learn from so that you can better understand and explain what you believe in your gut to be true.
I often say that Oscar, Tamir, Alvin, Trayvon, Eric, Laquan, Breonna, Philando, Micheal, Alton, Jordan, Walter, Atatiana, Botham, Ahmaud, Stephon, Freddie, Dontre, Sandra, Jay, and so many other hundreds of names could be my husband; could be my sons.
And it's true. Because there is not just racism in white people's hearts. There is also racism in the systems and power of this country. It is the definition. I have studied this, experienced this and observed this since high school when the idea of sociology and people groups first became something that I was passionate about. It is true. But I can't convince you it's true if it's not your reality. You will either believe me because I have studied it, experienced this and observed this. Or you will choose to do the work so that you can better understand and accept it. If you don't? Then you will remain ignorant.
And like me, if I walked out on the pier and cast my line into the lake, having no clue what I was doing, I could likely pull off looking like a fisherman. But I can almost guarantee that I wouldn't catch a fish. And I very likely might hinder someone else from catching one. When I'm ready? I'll have to seek out the answers and information I need to learn and excel.
If it's your time? Do the work.
That's all I got today.
