Dear Friends,
As I have lived through this historical week as most of you have also, it has continued to evolve into a week that I will never forget. A week that may actually change our lives forever. Sound extreme. Honestly, this has been a year of life changing experiences. Starting with a pandemic like none of us have ever experienced, that is creating a ‘new normal’ and when there appeared to be light at the end of that tunnel, then the killing of George Floyd, a final blow to the black community of a trilogy of inexcuseable deaths…….Breona Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and then George Floyd, a native son of us here in Houston. Floyd’s death was it…..the last straw that cried out for major change in our nation and the world and the time is now. How we all come out of this will be a test to our survival instincts which as a city, state, nation/world has always been profound so I know we can do it if we educate ourselves and work together to show our solidarity !
So in preparing to write my weekly newsletter I found it extremely difficult. I’m no authority on the subject of race relations. I only know what I feel in my heart. I’ve never felt myself to be a racist, and felt that I have always been both accepting and caring for all races, so I didn’t get it at first. So, I actually heeded the directive from last Tuesday of blocking out and muting all social media out of respect and recognition of the horrific happenings of the week and actually thought that in that same vain, I would consider not publishing my newsletter for the week. However, as the week progressed, I listened to the words uttered so often that “silence is compliance” and that it was wrong to remain silent in the face of bigotry and injustice. I got it! So I have set out to share my feelings and to share from some sources that I found helpful and that I respect. There are many resources that can help those of you that are interested in learning more. If you are like me and have asked what you can you do to help and to better understand…… here are the results of some of my research. I have read mountains of stories, postings online and in print, but there were three I found most helpful and well-organized are from my friend, David Peck, and Houston Holocaust Museum! I will list those links at the end.
I know some things that I have learned this week…….that there is no way that I can truly understand how it feels to be black but I am convinced that through dialogue without violence or rage, I can learn to be a better ally. I undertand now that just saying that I am not a racist is not enough. So, I have spent this week, listening, reading, watching everything I could to learn more. I have pledged to be a better supporter of local black businesses and so many of the talented black people in my field and beyond.
The silver lining of ALL of this, has been a feeling out there of a desire to come together and work toward understanding and supporting one another. I choose to take the optimistic look at life, most days, and even I have found watching all of the unrest out in the world has been very upsetting. It will not be easy to work toward a unified world but hope that through our belief in the beauty of all of God’s creatures that we can learn to live in peace with one another. My all-time favorite song that I have used to reflect in difficult times in my life begins with the words…….”Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me!”. Let’s each do what WE can to make the world better for ALL!
I’m linking below to three newsletters that I found to be a great source for films, books, charities, etc. that you can get to if you are interested in learning more…….
David Peck: https://shopdavidpeck.com/blogs/davids-world/resources
Goop: https://goop.com/wellness/environmental-health-civics/black-lives-matter/?ref=newsletter&nlptrk
Houston Holocaust Museum: https://hmh.org/education/resources-support-racial-equity-and-justice/
Great job!!!!