Thoughts during unrest

As a person of mixed race, I understand that I have different privileges in society and relationships with institutions like the police than people of other races and backgrounds.  Over the last week I've been processing how my lighter skin color has afforded me protections from violence, profiling, and trauma from law enforcement.  I think it's sad, and frankly I'm embarrassed, that it has taken countless episodes of police brutality caught on video, for me to fully reckon with this in a way that even approaches the degree needed to honor all of these victims.  I know that I'm not alone, and I hope that more people of privilege continue to speak out and join in solidarity with people of color, in powerful moments like this one.

I also think it's important we contribute money to grassroots organizations like Black Lives Matter, as well as to political organizations and candidates who will seek to bring us together rather than divide us. 

I live above a liquor store that was looted on Sunday.  Luckily the building was not burned and my family and possessions are safe.  The moments that I witnessed were very confusing, and I've sat with many emotions as I've reflected on what happened.  I don't condone looting, but I think I understand some part of it.  Trevor Noah summarizes this much better than I ever could.

I think we all wish that the things our society is dealing with, the cracks and the ways that we are broken, weren't true, weren't here with us, every day.  And for people of privilege, we can almost convince ourselves of this because we don't feel the effects of systemic racism.  That is privilege.  The protests and unrest over the last week forces us to be uncomfortable and to sit with the discomfort, the hurt and pain, that people of color have been sitting with for so long.  We have to listen, we have to step forward and join this movement, otherwise the system will not change, and our children will be in the same place we are.  Look what happened just yesterday in Chicago.

I hope and pray that each person, regardless of race and experience, can join in reflection, prayer, and action to stand up and be part of the change.