I Can't Be Silent

I want to start off by saying that I do not believe for even a second that I am an expert or qualified to write this post.That may lead you to wonder why I would be writing such a post than. I have several reasons that I will share with you.

My heart has been so heavy and I have felt so much righteous anger over peoples’ comments and reactions about what has occurred in Ferguson, MO. I refuse to be silent about a topic that so many people are ignoring. I know that racial topics are hard, uncomfortable, and messy so we avoid them. Not choosing to discuss them doesn’t fix anything though.

Another reason why I feel compelled to  share has to do with experiences that have affected me and people that I love dearly.

Our family was at a local park one day when Moses was not even two years old. This is the first time I ever encountered direct, verbal racism aimed toward my child. The worst part is that it came out of the mouth of another child (I wonder where they learned those words and formed those opinions) To say I was shocked, is an understatement. This really opened my eyes to the challenges my children will face, solely based on the color of their skin.

One day Mimi was watching Barbie on YouTube and I sat down with her. I looked down at the comment section, for no particular reason and this is the first thing I saw (mind you it is a direct quote so grammar is not mine):

"Nikki is my hatest among Barbie's best friends because she is black :\ Barbies are supposed to be perfect, flawless and beautiful , and there shouldn't be a black barbie! I want Nikki to be removed of these series."

This made me realize that my children's perceptions of themselves may be hindered by such comments in the future.

One of the most hurtful came as an attack on my husband's character and called into question his faith in God. This all occurred when Jarrell lovingly pointed out a blind spot in a young person's thinking in regards to racism after several uniformed comments the young adult made. The parents of this individual, people we had called friends and respected, ripped Jarrell apart and we really saw their true colors.

I don't share these stories for sympathy for our family but as a means of insight into how racism still actively affects peoples' lives today. Furthermore, I am fully aware that  my family lives in an area that is mostly racially accepting and we do not face these situations often, as do the people of Ferguson, MO and other places.

My main hope in sharing is this... Just because you don't experience a certain reality, doesn't mean that reality isn't true for someone else. In order to understand someone else's reality, you need to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to understand.

I know that we are not aware of all the facts in Michael Brown's death, though many more have been released tonight. I do not condone looting and/or violent protests. I think it's easy to get wrapped up in all the details that aren't the real issue. My hope is that through it all, you would strongly consider a few things.

#1- Michael Brown was an unarmed black male shot by a police officer.

#2- Victim shaming is never okay and regardless of other issues in Michael Brown's life, he was still an unarmed black male

#3- While some of the methods have been poor, we need to look at the people of Ferguson and realize that they are frustrated and fed up with a system that continues to fail them and countless others. Instead of quickly judging them, we should rally behind their cause, which is so much bigger than an isolated incident. Maybe their anger would begin to subside when they realize they are heard, understood, and are not alone in this fight.

Whether you realize it or not, If you are white you have privilege due to your skin color. It needs to be acknowledge and turned into action for people who do not have this privilege, especially in you are a Christian.