Even the air has changed. It feels a lot lighter. But, we still cannot breathe with masks worn indoors and outdoors, occasionally. Picture this for Blacks, daily. They cannot feel comfortable nor are they safe in America because of their skin color while their white counterparts are presumed to naturally belong in any landscape, in any setting, and assumed with merit at the starting line of life. Blacks start several feet behind the starting line and many are kept from progressing to their natural lives by racism and racist presumptions.
#blacklivesmatter marches continue in different locations of Los Angeles and they are effectively done with no words, just silence. Silence to feel someone’s pain, to feel another’s presence, to listen without a quick retort of our own but perhaps, to raise questions from a place of curiosity and even offer words of understanding their depths of pain.
Ever, a 5-year-old, joined her mom and dad at rally on Sunday, June 7. She was joined by her uncle, his partner, and another friend; yet to her, all are uncles whom she gives hugs to, including an auntie, a white woman sister. The three who joined her family are young whites concerned about #BlackLivesMatter.
“Grandma I wanted to say to the police: Take care of people, don’t kill them.” She watched the news about George Floyd and was restless the day after, that we talked about what happened at Sunday’s rally.
She held a poster:
“Respect the Existence or Expect Resistance.”
Cover photo taken by her mom. “My mom made that, Grandma, what does it mean?” she asked. “It means if I am not listened to and respected for who I am, I can fight back.”
Moments later, when one of her grandparents was half listening, she said, “Lolo, you are talking over me.” I was surprised by her statement, but both of us paused and listened.“
You know I love you so much,” I told her. “Grandma, I love everyone in my family,” she responded.
Read more in the link below.https://www.asianjournal.com/life-style/lifestyle-columnists/is-there-hope-for-america-to-transform-its-racist-culture/
Photos of doors were taken by moi to illustrate how opportunities are presented to us by race: closed and shut tight for Blacks, partially open for those with connections and a wide open door for whites to participate and dut at the decision making table.
Other photos and memes are from Facebook and Instagram’s posts.
Lord, heal us and free us Lord from doing evil. God’s justice is after all fairness to all, not just white folks.
Special thanks to Nicole David Yalong who posted the memes and Jim Bloomington for the photo linking racism with COVID-19. Thank you to @coriput for the photo of 5yo Ever.
