Jun 1, 2020
I didn’t plan for, nor expect the flood of tears that came over me,
and in between my sobs, I realized it took a pandemic for me to
feel the raw emotions of our country’s intensified racism. It took
a pandemic for me to weep in a new way for all the people of color
who have been terrorized by police brutality and white supremacy.
It took a pandemic for me to feel simultaneously outraged and
helpless at the violent hatred Trump has unleashed, while feeling
inspired and deeply grateful for the tireless work of Shaun King
and Lee Merritt. It took a pandemic for me to know that my tsunami
of tears needed to be released, my unspeakable sadness and rage
needed to be felt. I was grateful that my family held space for me,
my tears, my overwhelm. There was nothing to apologize for, simply
the courage to be present to the rawness, be present to the
anguish, be present to the longing to be engaged in a meaningful,
healing way.
And my tears keep flowing:
Ahmaud Arbery
Breonna Taylor
George Floyd and countless others I don’t yet know by name.
I am disgusted, heartbroken, enraged and searching for ways to feel
the fullness of these raw emotions, while wanting to respond in a
constructive, spiritually grounded way. I understand the overwhelm,
I understand the despair, I understand the eruption of outrage, I
understand the induction into violence, and yet, I trust that we as
individuals and a country will be changed. I need to look within.
White people need to look within, take a moral inventory, speak
out, take a stand, hold other white people accountable! We must
take responsibility in small and large ways to help dismantle
racism. We must learn from this, heal from this, transform from
this. Join me in repeating over and over in your heart and mind the
Ho’oponopono prayer for healing:
I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you. I love you.
With this intention, it helps tremendously to take action.
Follow Shaun King on Instagram
Follow Lee Merritt on Instagram
Sign petitions and call 612-324-4499
Shaun King will walk you through what to say.
Instagram Links:
@shaunking
@leemerritesq
@grassrootsLaw
@keedronbryant
#IJustWantToLive
@vonettaetaylor
@maharosenyc