Looting and Rioting

I haven't watched the news. Honestly, I have enough negativity coming in through social media. Not really negativity but more like so much sadness about how we have gotten nowhere over the past 100 years with racism. I think it's because alot of us are frustrated that something like this would happen in 2020. I was thinking about the girl who recorded the video of Floyd being murdered and thought of the backlash she must be getting for not stepping in to help. People were criticizing her for not calling for help, but who was she supposed to call? The police? Every time someone would try to step in and help, they would be threatened with pepper spray and could've also lost their life.

I have also thought about peaceful protests. There's people doing silent protests, but I don't think people can hear them. I understand now the need to riot. People say, why don't you just peacefully protest, but when they do, they do it wrong. I guess there's no right way to protest. That's why it is a protest. I see that the rioting comes from years of abuse, racism, and watching your family members innocently be charged harshly for crimes that they did not commit. They live in fear that their brother or son or husband "fits the description" and is taken into custody. 

I have learned to listen to understand and not just listen to respond. 

So many emotions these couple of days from everyone. Everyone's heart is heavy. Yet how do we make a change in this world? You can't change the minds of people. I guess all we can do is teach within the walls of our home how to love on another and how to stand up and protect our black brothers and sisters. It is no longer okay to be silently non racist but now it's the time to be publicly anti-racist. I have heard so many quotes from people that have caused me to seriously reflect how I really feel about racism. 

This year has been a year of much reflection. With Corona virus, I have learned to be grateful for my health, my job, and having all of my needs and wants met. With the death of George, I have learned to be grateful for being able to learn about racism through books and not through life experiences. 

My kids are lucky that they have no idea how crazy the world is right now. The news is full of people rioting and looting stores and burning buildings and cars. I'm glad that we are safe within the walls of our home. I'm grateful my kids have no idea how dangerous it is to be outside right now. I am grateful that I get to experience this for them and that they don't have to go through this and feel these emotions first hand.