Do Your Part

A message to my white friends:

Conviction weighs heavy on my heart once again. I should have said something sooner, but I am not supposed to stay silent.

I don't know if I've found the right words, but these thoughts are authentic and these intentions are pure. I encourage you to keep reading and, as you do, I hope you will do your best to empathize with me.

Maybe you're tired of seeing these posts. Let me remind you that this is much bigger than politics -- because before we label ourselves Republican or Democrat, black or white, we are first and foremost human. From the very beginning of humanity, we were made to live in unity with one another. Our differences were meant to be celebrated, but instead they've divided us.

I want to make it very clear that I have nothing but respect for (most of) the men and women who wear blue in our country. But, what happened on Monday should not have happened. And if we do not voice our frustrations, it will continue to happen.

So many different opinions are being expressed on social media right now and regardless of what you believe to be true, you cannot deny that the recent deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and countless others have brought to light a conversation about race that needs to be addressed. There is a reason this conversation is being had everywhere you turn. We cannot run from the discomfort of this conversation any longer. Instead, we have a responsibility to embrace it. I will never know what it's like to be black in America; but I am reminded now more than ever, that the black American has been fighting oppression for hundreds of years. We are simply just now beginning to notice the realities of this oppression. Racism is a complex, systemic issue with consequences we can never negate.

We cannot undo what's already been done. We cannot pretend to understand the hardships of people of color. What we can do is step out of the comfort zone that privilege built and learn to get uncomfortable. Our response should be one of empathy. Start by educating yourself -- watch videos, read books, and listen to podcasts. Remember, it is not anybody else's responsibility to educate you on this matter but you. Only through seeking a genuine understanding, and learning to honor and respect one another will we truly come together. Empathy is the key to unity.

I was recently watching a video of Pastor Mike Todd preaching, and he said something that stuck with me. He said, "Racial reconciliation is going to happen. And I can't wait. So I don't wait."
We still have a long ways to go. But as white people, we cannot continue to be passive. We cannot hide ourselves in the comfort of our privilege.
As white people, we must use our voices to advocate for justice while mourning for those who have suffered loss at the hand of injustice.

Do the behind the scenes work. That's the most important part because that's where we inspire change. Charles Spurgeon once wrote, "May our present privilege awaken us to our present duty -- now."

You have the privilege to make a difference, but you have to be willing to do the work. It starts with you.

Say their names.

"The Lord works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed." -- Psalm 103:6

"Be completely humble and gentles; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." -- Ephesians 4:2-3