This is not the post I had planned for today but I feel it would be too insensitive to publish it right now. My thoughts are with a friend who once told me that her successful, well educated black husband never leaves the house without a collared shirt and nice slacks on in case he is stopped. Another person close to me has a black female boss raising two young sons. Imagine looking into your boys’ eyes and not just worrying about the usual mom stuff…but being fearful for their lives.
By Oh Happy Day — These prints are back-ordered but I signed up for updates.
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The Link-Up: Anti-Racism Resources, Content To Diversify Your Feed, & More Ways To Support The Black Community Right Now A Comprehensive list by Emily Henderson
I don’t have the answers but if we truly love our neighbors, this cannot continue. We must open our hearts and be actively against racism. It’s time to listen.
With love,
Mary Ann
Mary Ann, I am so happy to read this post. I am sorry so late to read my blogs. Thank you for taking a stand instead of remaining neutral as many people are doing. I feel like this is too painful a time in our country to not take a stand against racism. We need changes in the policing and changes in the hearts and minds of all Americans, especially white ones who have a voice. Since no change is coming from the top, we all have to speak out and say we are better than this. America used to be a place to proud of thanks to its human rights and this has really brought the hate black citizens face front and center to all of us. I’ve been mystified also by the huge amount of comments in many spaces where people think supporting Black Lives Matter as not supporting the police. Many good police in this country and they too want change. Calling for reforms and change does not mean we don’t support them.
Mary Ann,
I do thank you for your thoughtful comments and for addressing this very important time in our history.
I honestly have not heard the media say that we are all racists or that all police officers are bad. Rather I have heard that just being non racist yourself is not enough. We all need to stand up and speak out for justice for all no matter your skin color. Being silent is not good enough. We need to be part of the solution.
I have police officers in my family as well. They are both good decent men and feel that most people they work with are as well. But both my relatives say that there is institutional racism in many police forces and changes need to be made.
Let’s not make this a divisive issue or get distracted from the real issue. We should all want a world where we are all treated equally and are not judged by our skin color.
I think we all want what is best and are soul searching. Thanks so much for commenting, Julie!
Mary Ann,
So true. I once heard a black journalist explain that all parents of black children, especially boys, taught them from a very young age, what to do when they were out on the street. It broke my heart that they had to have special rules of conduct that I knew others didn’t have to observe. I agree it has to stop and I pray this time there’s enough protest from all citizens with love in their hearts that there will be change.
Karen
Mary Ann, I give you credit for stating your thoughts. I’m an immigrant to this country. My family and I came to the US legally and are very grateful to be here. I’m very sorry for Mr. Floyd’s death but I wholeheartedly disagree with the media and assorted leftists in this country that we are all racists and have to atone for being white or God forbid ever say we love this country. What happened to Mr. Floyd is indeed tragic and shouldn’t have happened to any person. But demonizing every law enforcement man or woman serving their communities is wrong. No all police officers are bad. Where is that being stated? As the saying goes, walk a day in their shoes and see the violence, disdain and disrespect that police officers often encounter while on duty. I do agree with you that we must all be more thoughtful in our interactions with one another and like another woman stated here treat others as you would like to be treated. Thank you for letting me comment. 💕
I support the police force. Most ARE good. We really need them. My cousin is a policewoman. We need education.
But it’s not just about the police. What are we doing wrong? Why are our prisons filled with black men? What can we do better?
Thanks for commenting, Roberta.
Thank you so much for this post and for speaking out. To be honest, I was crushed earlier in the week when I opened one of your posts and there was no mention of this issue at a time when I was dealing with so much turmoil and pain in my home. You have restored my faith in you as a loving, caring human being above all else.
Lisa, The last post you read was written last Saturday before all this escalated. I’ve been thinking/worrying about this every day.
Thanks Mary Ann for your thoughtful post , as a white middle aged women living in western Montana I’m
shielded from the discrimination and fear that many African Americans, American Indians , Hispanics ,
people of color and other minority friends encounter.
I went to College in DC and lived in SF for many years much different experience then MT .
I hope our county will act in unity with compassion, love and grace during this time of great distress and
turmoil in this country .
I pray for the healing of our country and I pray for inclusitivioty, justice and peace . The beautiful Hawaii
Blessings reminds us of the children , my generation hasn’t fixed this maybe our children and grandchildren will .
Prayers do work for this wake up call. I hope our children do better but we can still try.
I AM WITH YOU Mary Ann!!!!!!!!!!!
THAT PRESIDENT AND WHAT HE SAID ON GEORGE FLOYDS FUNERAL DAY IS DISGUSTING!!!!!!!!
SOMETHING ABOUT EVEN GEORGE WOULD BE HAPPY THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS TURNING!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOVE WHAT THE MAYOR OF D.C. DID………………..BRAVA TO HER!
XX
Please go back and read what the President said in its entirety. He did not say what you wrote. That is how it was portrayed, though. I don’t think we have to be political about racial injustice. I live in the Chicago area. The south side of Chicago has been crying out for equality and justice under Mayors, Governors and Presidents of both parties for years and years and years. I wish that community would receive a fraction of the attention that is happening now.
We lived in Chicago for a while, too. You are right…justice for all.
MY VIDEO CAME FROM EITHER New York TIMES OR HUFFINGTONPOST!
I CANT IMAGINE ANYONE TAKING THE TIME TO “EDIT” HIS SPEEH!
EVEN SO IF YOU BELIEVE THAT
I DO Not HAVE TO HEAR HIM SPEAK JUST LOOKING AT HIM YOU KNOW HE HAS NO BUSINESS BEING IN THE White House!
THE MAN IS GOING TO GET US ALL KILLED ONE WAY OR ANOTHER!!!!!
C Trump did say this “Donald Trump was condemned on Friday for making the claim that George Floyd, an African American man killed by police, is looking down from heaven and praising the US economy. ” This is per The Guardian a well respected newspaper . Unbelievably Sad day for us all.
Contessa I agree any kind message from Trump would have brought healing. How about kneeling with the protestors instead of taking a photo with a prop bible? How about I hear you and I want to hear more and fix some of the pain? He’s completely uncaring and that has caused more hate and hurt sadly. I believe he won’t be reelected.
Thank you for your lovely post Mary Ann. I know you put great thought into it and it was tough to figure out what to say. It’s the most significant post you’ve probably ever published. The call to moral action is to avoid silence for silence is agreement. So I thank you for saying what you feel, doing the uncomfortable and above all, not being silent.
Jeanne, I know that was a hard comment to leave as we are all feeling anguish. Thanks so much for expressing how you feel. “The call to moral action is to avoid silence”…choice words.
Hi Mary Ann
I know we have talked about how difficult it is to balance what we feel in our hearts right now and what our readers come to our blogs for. This was a lovely post.
I think the time has come for all of us to rise up and deny Trump another term. Trump’s injunction of George Floyd’s name today was despicable, even for him. And a giant shout out to the Mayor of DC who used art, wit, humility, and power to announce to those in the White House (aka now also called the Chicken Coup) that Black Lives Matter. We must take our country back before it’s no longer ours. And we must, together, find ways to rebuild our country that celebrates equality for all.
I missed the news today. I can hardly bear to watch it. Thanks for commenting!
Thank you so much for having the courage to discuss this. I see the corrosive, toxic effects of racism every single day. My husband & I are white, well-educated, retired at 60, comfortably off financially — and we’re both SO aware of how all that insulates us from the brutal reality of so many people’s every-day lives & how it’s in part up to us, people like us, to help create a better world. If we don’t speak up, don’t reach out, don’t take to the streets, don’t demand better of our politicians & leaders, don’t vote out hate & divisiveness & corruption, don’t act with character, don’t FIGHT for what’s right, then we’re no better than those who have actively enslaved others for the colour of their skin. And it’s not just the racism we’re battling, but the rampant sexism & misogyny, the hatred directed toward those whose lifestyle choices are different, whose sexual & gender identities are different, whose desperate desire for a better life have brought them here looking for safety & welcome. We all need to do better. So, again, thank you for not hiding from it & for giving me the opportunity to speak from my heart.
Thanks so much, Caroline for your thoughtful comment.
Hi Mary Ann, rest assured you are not the only blogger addressing this issue. What happened to George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery is horrendous. Both were targeted because of the color of their skin. It seems like the divide has gotten worse since our current President has been in office. (I apologize for getting political) :o/
My daughter and son-in-law are in law enforcement but thank goodness they both work in a facility and not out on patrol. I worry that cops will be targeted now. Most are good, but there are some bad apples out there that make them all look bad.
Linda
Thank goodness for all the good policemen and women…like your daughter and son-in-law, Linda!
I have a friend who told me her African American husband ( who is a lawyer, not that it should matter, and the nicest guy ever) had been stopped by the police in his own neighborhood and asked what he was doing here). We all need to step up and support fairness, equality and to fight racism and other forms of discrimination. Thank you for your beautiful and inspirational post. #BLM❤️
I know, Jackie. You have a good heart.
What does actively against racism mean? Im in my early 70’s I wasn’t racist before this horrible incident and continue to treat individuals as I was taught, treat others as I want to be treated. I’m not guilty because I’m not black.in fact, I think race relations are better now than 50 years ago. I’m from Chicago every weekend the black on black violence is horrendous many times innocent children caught in the crossfire. What about Captain Dorn? Where is his 12 million dollar go fund me?
I so appreciate your comment. We are all working through this.
Thanks for commenting, Barbara.
Dear Mary Ann,
I have followed your beautiful blog for years (and never commented.) (Sorry!) I wanted to take a moment to thank you for using your platform to encourage listening, learning and change. I always enjoy your content, but this gives me a deeper appreciation for the person behind the blog. Thank you for not being afraid to stand up. XO, Christy
Thank you, Christy. It’s hard to articulate my feelings. My dad was a judge for many years and believed in fairness. He taught his six children the difference between right and wrong. I know he would want us to lift our brothers and sisters up.
Thank you Mary Ann 🖤
Thank you, Kristen!