So, at the beginning of a new week, we have had some time to digest, think about the events of the past 2 weeks.
George Floyd’s death brought charges to the 4 officers involved, communities, businesses, and people ravaged by the riots and protests (some peaceful, some not so much), some city halls under siege but for all of us, how do we proceed moving forward?
It’s a big question and because there are so many moving parts, it just makes sense to look at the changes and adjustments that we must make to make a positive change around us because the big picture is too big for us to handle.
It is very important that governments, states, provinces, cities, the judicial system, police administration take the appropriate measures to change methods, approaches, laws so that the occurrence of what happened on the streets of Minneapolis doesn’t happen again.
That those who have felt marginalized and discriminated against can see real change come and it is fair, consistent, coherent and effective.
But really it comes back to you and me because it’s only as relationships grow and are nurtured can the full weight of change be truly felt.
Some have asked if we have to be “tight” with everybody?
Well, the answer is no because there isn’t enough time in the day to have a 1000 deep relationships but what we can learn is to have is empathy for those who have been in a struggle; some for almost their whole lives.
We can all learn, educate ourselves, become more aware of the weights our fellow brothers and sisters have been carrying for a long time.
That we can decide to work at growing connections, however awkward those connections may feel at first but we must for change….
In the course of change, one thing among the many that must be different is our attitude and our reactions in the moments of change.
It is a scary thing when our emotions run us.
And emotions are not just anger, rage, hate; it can be very subtle in nature and just as dangerous and in this time of flux when it comes to relationships that we must grow and cultivate, we must watch our attitudes and reactions.
We can do much harm to ourselves, and also to the very people we say we want to understand, empathize with, connect with and the reverse is true too.
So there is this story in the Bible of 2 brothers that speaks to how emotions out of whack can change the direction of our lives in a minute.
Again, you don’t have to be a Believer or church goer to understand or appreciate the power of the story application in the account.
Maybe You Know It: The Story
Cain grew up to be a farmer, Abel a shepherd. Cain, when it was time to bring his gift to God, he brought some of his crops while Abel brought his best lambs. Abel’s gift was accepted while Cain’s wasn’t.
Cain got angry and dejected.
God comes to Cain and says, “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? You will be accepted if you do what is right.
But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin/missing the mark/offensive action/A Bad Attitude is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”
Some days later, Cain enticed Abel to go out in the fields where he killed him. Afterward the Lord asked Cain, “Where is your brother? Where is Abel?” “I don’t know,” Cain responded. “Am I my brother’s Guardian/Keeper?”
It is remarkable that there was an advance warning about letting emotions control Cain to the point of doing something almost unimaginable but it happened anyway.
The other striking commentary was Cain saying, “am I my brother’s keeper?”
So here we are in 2020 and emotions and attitudes have run rampant yet we must keep our wits about us because if we cannot break past the emotions, most if not all of us have been feeling over the past 2 ½ weeks and more, we will not get to the place where change can come.
Some Things To Think About:
If we feel that this problem of discrimination, the feeling by those that have experienced discrimination that some lives are worth more than others “is not our concern”, then we may need an attitude and reaction adjustment.
If we feel that “those people” bring these problems on themselves, then we may need an attitude and reaction adjustment.
If we feel that hitting something, breaking something, “burning it down” is the only way that will get the attention needed to hear the issues that have plagued people for years, then we may need an attitude and reaction adjustment.
If we “will not reach out” to our black acquaintances because they do not fit into our life narrative and it would be more of a disruption than a chance to be our brother’s keeper, then we may need an attitude and reaction adjustment.
If we will “be continually suspicious” and “even treat with contempt” any and all white people, even the ones who are trying humbly to reach out to want to understand and know us, then we may need an attitude and reaction adjustment.
I could go on but the point is made; when our attitudes and reactions are out of control or headed in that direction, not much good can come of it.
So Who Is Our Brother/Sister?
The co-worker, next door neighbor, the fellow student…… the point being, we are part of the Human Race and we can’t abdicate our responsibility to care for our those who are suffering, to lend a shoulder, a hand, an arm to support the one who needs it.
As part of the human race, we cannot live in reactions that are spite filled all the time, having an ax in one hand while asking people to “See Us” with the other open hand.
The 2 Way Street is so needed now so attitude and reactions “must” be tempered and "We All" must respond in the right way(s).
We can’t abdicate our responsibility to care for our those who are suffering, to lend a shoulder, a hand, an arm to support the one who needs it.
So this week, seeing that we’re at the beginning of a new week, here’s a couple of simple things we can all do.
1. If you’ve recognized that you’ve not been too concerned regarding the interests, fears and frustrations of black people, admit, confess and begin the process of turning away from those thought patterns.
2. If you’ve been angry, even hostile towards white people in this time of unrest, admit the anger and seek ways to release those feelings so when there is interaction with white people who want to understand, that bag will not weigh heavy on your back.
3. If we are hoping for this period of time to “blow over” so we can get back to normal, then we must admit, confess and turn away from this “ostrich” type thinking.
4. Taking this from a classroom theory to practical action, reach out to one person you have a connection with; depending on where you are and how regulations are loosening, seek a time to connect and start asking a few questions….. Then listen…….don’t judge in either direction…. Decide to meet again and repeat……. (These Are Some Ideas)
It’s worth saying again:
You should not feel or be made feel guilty for being white…. (While not being pompous, arrogant or feeling superior)
In the same respect, it should be more than okay for a black person to express their frustration, emotion, anger, fears, and hopelessness without fear of reprisal or scorn. (Without allowing our emotions to get out of control)
Both statements work because as part of the Human Race, we can offer each other a safe place to be, a place to learn, understand, to know.
So what are you/we going to do this week?
It takes one connection………and then to grow that connection.
You just never know what can happen!
But…..We’ve got to take a chance……
It’s Time!!
Dave
“Stop being angry, annoyed, irritated, irate, heated, enraged, indignant! Turn from your rage, temper, care(less) thinking, and thoughtless positions! Do not lose your temper, empathy, it only leads to harm.”
This coming Forward Friday, What I think Dad would say about this Period of Time… Quarantine 2020.
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