I woke up with my Facebook and home page FLOODED with recent shooting events. Louisiana, Dallas, Minnesota. My heart is breaking. My stomach is turning. My mind is racing trying to figure out why. I just want to grab my kids and hide under the blankets until there’s world peace but I have to be realistic.
People are saying it’s a race issue. Others are saying it’s a gun control issue. Some are blaming Obama. Others are blaming Bush. The people designated to serve and protect are being labels as murderers and an entire race is being criticized and disrespected. What a scary world we live in!
While I cannot pin point who, what, why or how, there is one thing I know for sure. There is a huge lack of respect for individuals. When human life is valued, ending yours or others do not cross your mind. There is a sense of urgency to educate my children about the world they live in.
Every life is precious.
-Emmylou Harris
The sitcom Black-ish touched the subject of police brutality on their episode “Hope”. The comedy is centered around an african american family who is privileged and the struggle of being successful while maintaining your roots. The small clip I watched inspired me to teach my children the importance of respecting others and maintaining hope for a better world.
Recently, my husband spotted a couple, who were a different race than ours, where the husband was forcefully getting his wife into a car she clearly did not want to get into. My husband was quick to think to call the police and do his part in helping someone in need. My husband did not see her race, gender, sexual orientation, socio economic or immigration status. He respected her life enough to react and seek help when she couldn’t. He didn’t take out his phone and record the confrontation. He didn’t jump in and attack the gentleman. He did what others around did not. He sought help from the appropriate people.
So as I sit here and feel helpless about the recent events, I know I need to do my part in helping people, respecting people, teaching my children to do the same and be an example to my family, friends and neighbors.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
All lives matter. Be the light!
I love this. It is a scary world. My son doesn’t see race or socioeconomic class. As a child he loves all people, he smiles and engages everyone. Its beautful and my job is to make sure when he does begin to notice differences, that he celebrates them and loves others.
Love your heart ♡