I See You

It’s Saturday, May 30, 2020 and my heart is heavy. As I sit here and type I have so many emotions. What is happening in the world? Tornadoes, fires, earthquakes, terrorism, pandemics, and now hatred and riots. Do I blame the people rioting? No. Not one minute do I blame them. Am I at a loss of what to do? Yes. I know how I feel, but I don’t know how my black brothers and sisters feel and I never will. Why? Because I am a white privileged girl who was born into a comfortable white family who lived in a sleepy quiet town of mainly white people. True story. Does this make Graham, Texas bad? No, it just is where I was born. I graduated with two black girls. Stacey and Tamitha. They were my friends, but did I ever take the time to talk to them about being black? No. Why not? I don’t really know. When I was growing up I truly didn’t think about it, but now that I am writing it I never went to their homes and I only remember Stacey coming to mine maybe twice. One time for sure. Now that I am taking the time to think about this I am sad about that. I can’t change the past, but I am sad about that.

Did I see black? Yes. Of course I did. If you say you don’t see color you are just fooling yourself. Hell, you see when I spray tan because you tell me about it! So you can see black. Just saying…..

When did I start seeing color? I honestly cannot answer that. I do think there is some truth to the saying, “kids don’t see color”, but I think it should be, “kids see color and they don’t care because they see a human being.” Case in point. I will never forget when Graeme got in the car after his first day of pre-school and said, “Mom I have a friend with clown hair!” I was like what on earth does he mean? As the days went on and I got to know the little kids in his classroom it turned out his new little friend had red hair! Kids see color is the point! It’s what we as parents teach our kids that will make the difference. Because change must happen. And if you are a parent you are in the perfect place to be a part of the change! How? Talk to your kids!

Our kids, especially our white kids, need to learn that discrimination is real and it is wrong. It is something that most of our kids will not feel, as a white kid. We as parents need to teach our kids to stand up for their friends. Teach them to speak up for their friends. Teach them love. If we start teaching our young ones, who are the future, to stand up, speak up, and fight for their black friends, then I bet their other friends who are not as lucky to be raised in a home that teaches love will begin to follow.

What else can we do? Well, my dear friend Dresha wrote something that I think is perfect. I am going to share it with you.

I want you to do more than love me...

I want you to be comfortable enough to call out racism the same way you’re comfortable with watching your friends spew it.

I want you to be more than willing to get out there on these streets and protest with those who are trying to make a bold statement instead of reposting Dr. King quotes.

I want you to stop playing it safe by choosing to say nothing, afraid to inconvenience yourself out of fear of losing your job or your social status.

I want you to do more than pray. Start taking action because we both know that bible says faith without works is dead.

I want you to be more than heartbroken and sad for me. Be so moved that you do more than “like” the comments being shared among black people in your social circles. Be our voice in your communities.

Do more than send us private messages expressing sadness — say that ish out loud so your peers can see it, stop hiding.

Be willing to get uncomfortable by having conversations with your racist family members. Stop shying away from the conversations because it’s convenient for you to do so.

I want you to stop complaining about the riots and start caring about the injustice. The riots are the direct result of our peaceful protests going unheard.

& most of all, be present. Don’t wait until it’s trendy to speak up, be ready to ride for us even when it’s not.

& lastly, don’t be fickle by popping in out as you please. Keep that same energy up until we can be black in peace.

So Dresha, Stacey, Tamitha, and all my black friends….I don’t know what it is like to be you, but I see you, I see your beautiful black beauty, and I stand with you.

Will you stand with me beside my black brothers and sisters….because I got news for you….if you are a Christian, they are your brother and sister in Christ…..Jesus stands with them…..So do I…..Do you?

Until Next Time,

XO,

Amy