2020 is weird…
This time has been strange, encouraging, eye opening, scary, sad and full of Hope.
I’ve always been told I’m “too political,” “too judgmental” and talk about people being racist too much. I hope after this time everyone will be encouraged to stand up.
I’m probably not alone when I say that I’ve been a little nervous to say the wrong thing. But I hope after seeing this post, following along on my IG and getting to know me, you will see that inclusion, anti racism and love have always been parts of my moral compass.
In high school, I had an openly gay field hockey coach. He was among the most popular and favorite teachers on campus and his English classes always filled up first. {this shows you the amazing and inclusive culture that my high school had.} I remember having him share a 5 page hate letter left in his Jeep after someone ripped off this sticker from his bumper. He brought the letter to class and shared with us what hate looked and sounded like and to not be that way. I immediately asked for that sticker and put one on my bright yellow bug. When people asked about it I said it was for Basic Human Rights.
I’m unsure of when this inclusivity started as my view of the world. But I do remember, as I developed my relationship with God, I remember being told by my Pastor that God wouldn’t make everyone so beautifully different if we were supposed to be all the same.
To me, this means more than thinking the same, looking the same, voting the same. As I saw on Instagram, you can be anti racism and pro police. You can be pro police and pro Black Lives Matter. You can identify as a Republican and still vote for representatives that support the LGBT community. You don’t have to stay in your lane. You don’t have to pick a side. But you must, MUST do the right thing.
Politely and peacefully correct your friend who shares a Black joke, or says something they might not see as racist. Encourage them to see why a comment might be offensive. Talk politics at the dinner table and out with your friends. Share that you think poverty and prisons are the new slavery. Share that general views on any race is racist.
Before being an “influencer” was even a thing, I remember thinking that if I could share to anyone I came in contact with that being gay wasn’t a choice or my general views, they might change and share an inclusive view with one person, and they would share with one person and so on.
You have more influence than you think.
Don’t be afraid to speak up. Don’t be afraid to correct a friend. Don’t be afraid to tell people that White Supremacy doesn’t have to mean being an active member of the KKK, but can be just making generalizations on race.
Act as if this was happening to white, privilege, educated girls. That they were afraid to be out after dark, afraid to go for a run alone, afraid to be pulled over. That people crossed the street to get away from them, that people were afraid that they were selling drugs or that people thought that they were better than them because they weren’t white.
I don’t know the right thing to say and I don’t know the right thing to do. But I’m learning and I listening and I’m supporting in the ways, new and old to me, that I know how.
I’m using this as a learning opportunity. With my kids, since their grandparents and dad are immigrants, it has always been important to me to teach them about looking and being different. Before we had kids, and were deciding if we wanted to or not, it was #1 on both of our lists to raise good global citizens. This is your chance to teach and learn for yourself and your kids, if you have them. Be a good global citizens, for all the citizens on this earth, no matter their skin color, gender identification, religious affiliation or who they vote for. Do the right thing. Don’t be racist. Spread love and kindness instead.
I’m not sure how this is coming across. Probably self righteous or preachy. But I want to share and encourage as this is what I’m thinking now. I want to always encourage love, inclusivity and anti racism. I want to encourage you to do the same. I want to encourage you to vote and vote for people that encourage the same things I just listed.
Written 3 June 2020
Photo borrowed from here
