An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
I have spent a lot of time thinking about Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Botham Jean, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. The cries of Alton Sterling’s son at a press conference have re-entered my mind. I have thought about the numerous times that I traveled on that same road as Sandra Bland in Waller County. I wished that I would have never seen those videos of my people being killed. More importantly, I have wished that their families didn’t have to mourn their deaths. I know that they, like so many others, should still be alive.
Last week, I explained racism to my son. We talked through various examples of what is racism and what wasn’t racism. He reads nonfiction books and has learned about slavery and segregation. He’s aware of the contributions of Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and other Black leaders. But my son did not know that there were still problems that must be resolved in America surrounding how Black people are treated. Our talk was supplemented with watching videos for kids about race and reading books.
Like generations that have preceded mine, we want equality. We want peace. We want positive changes. We want systemic racism to end. We want our children to grow up in a world where they are valued, nurtured, loved, respected, and SAFE. We want our children, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers to LIVE.
I read an article about the mental health impact that these videos of Black people being murdered have on Black people. It’s traumatic. It’s the reason that many of us have complained about not being able to sleep.
Though our pain in this country is often ignored, we can’t ignore our mental health. Let’s be honest with how we are feeling. We can form a group of trusted friends that allow us to discuss what’s going on and how it may have impacted us. We should choose someone that is a good listener and adviser. This isn’t the time to go to that friend that will ignore your cries and tell you to get over it. And if you need it and you are able, seek therapy.
Prayer and Action
While praying, here’s a list of possible actions we can take:
- Listen to those who are working to make positive changes
- Speak against systemic racism and injustice on social media, blogs, websites, etc.
- Sign petitions
- Donate
- Vote
- Join a peaceful protest
- Contact leaders in your area
- Read – read books about race, choose trustworthy news sites to get information, research what’s happening in your area
- Be the change that you want to see
Final Note
I’m so proud of everyone that is working to create positive changes in this world. Let’s take good care of our minds and bodies. Never stop believing that positive changes and justice will come. Remember that God’s got us.
xo
Lamesha