I've struggled this week with what to write about. It doesn't seem right to tell a funny story or write about what's happening in my life when so many people are hurting and putting their lives in danger for change. I'm not on the front lines for COVID-19 nor am I facing tear gas and baton-swinging police officers. I am safe in my home and safe in my privilege.
That doesn't mean that the events of this past week haven't rattled me. The videos and images of such violence and brutality by police against peaceful protesters are horrifying. The idea of being beaten for speaking out or speaking up for injustice is not something that I've had to witness or deal with in my sheltered white life.
This week has blown the roof off that notion to be sure. As a student of History — one of my combined honours degrees from Western University in London, Ontario — I am acutely aware of American history and the impact slavery has had and continues to have on the building of America, both economically and socially.
During my reading and studies, the constant thread, besides the abhorrence of slavery itself, was the resilience of Black people. Despite overwhelming oppression, they refused to give in completely to the system. Physically, they had no choice, but emotionally and spiritually they kept fighting, kept their independence in any way they could, and kept resisting — holding onto hope that one day they would see their freedom.
That mentality and spirit still exists today, and unfortunately today they still fight for their freedom and equality. What this week made me realize is that they cannot do it alone. They need white people like myself to stand up and show up — every single moment of every single day — to fight the oppression of Black people and minorities all over the world.
The colour of our skin does not define our worth. Who we are inside and the love in our hearts is what matters, and that love has to be universal to all colours, shapes, and genders. Are we going to like every person we ever meet on this earth once we get to know them? Absolutely not. But pre-judging based on bias is not acceptable.
I'm not immune. I've done it. We all have — it's ingrained into who we are. But it doesn't have to be. We can halt that judgement and check our bias and wait to form an opinion one way or another. I think we might be surprised at the results.
I don't have the answers for any of this. All I have is a sense of hope that maybe, finally, real change is afoot. Hope that people will begin to see each other in a new light and with a new understanding — and more importantly, a new acceptance.
I am no better than anyone. I have my issues and my faults, and I've certainly made a heap of mistakes in my life. I've said things and done things that I shouldn't have, and I've definitely made snap judgements. No one is perfect. I admit my faults. And when you admit your faults, it means that you're open to change — and I am always open to change and learning and growing.
I wish with all my heart that I could just snap my fingers and all of the centuries of hurt and anger and inequality would disappear, but of course that isn't how it works. Change takes time and it has to begin with each of us, inside our own hearts and minds.
We cannot wait. It must begin now. With you and with me. We can do this.
"I understand that I will never understand. However, I stand."