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We are all still sorting through how we are feeling and reacting to the current racial climate. I hesitate in saying “current” because, for many black folks, this is a state of existence.
Racism isn’t new to many people, but for some reason, recently, people have been reminded that it still does exist. In speaking to a friend this week, we discussed the current events.
I made the statement that I was unsure why people are acting as if this is new information. She offered a different perspective. She asked me to think about the fact that we are still in a pandemic and that we have little to no other distractions (e.g., sports, travel, work, etc.), so it makes folks focus on racism.
She had a great point, and it makes sense! Without any of the distractions, that many black people don’t have the luxury of “turning off” every day, others now are choosing to tune in because they don’t have anything else to do or are genuinely witnessing the effects of it all.
I am a full-time Associate Professor for an online counseling program. Last week, when teaching a class I offered my class time to process any thoughts or feelings they have related to race relations.
Many of my students, both black and white, engaged in the conversation, and some were very vulnerable, which I appreciated. I posed some questions that I am going to encourage you to process as well.
1. George Floyd was killed on May 25, 2020, what were you doing May 24, 2020, to show that Black Lives Matter?
2. What are you teaching your children, so that they don’t fear mine?
3. What can you do in your corner of the world to help and create lasting change?
Ask yourself and your friends these questions. I also want to encourage you to ask your white friends/family members/co-workers, etc. to process what they are doing.
Here is one resource that I’ve found helpful myself and to share with others: https://www.communitycommons.org/entities/9b0f805f-5d46-4636-9b74-2926363486d3
There is still so much work to be done, and I encourage you to determine what part of the work you can do. Silence speaks volumes!
