My day to day life isn’t much different than it was meant to be. I had planned to spend many days of April, May and June in my home, wearing elastic waist pants and caring for my newborn. I stopped watching the news that was giving timelines for opening up the state. It wasn’t that I wasn’t interested in Covid, but it didn’t really apply to me. My world was likely going to stay more sheltered long after the mayors and governors said, “You are free to move about”. I don’t really know where the days went. I don’t have a long list of Netflix shows from the months of April and May, my house is far from '“visitor clean”, and the laundry piles up. I did go on walks, I snuck in some sunshine and worked on summer programming.
And then it started with a text that I sent after watching the NYC Amy Cooper incident and George Floyd arrest… “just reaching out to say that I am thinking of you. I know that institutional racism being alive in this world is no news to you (or I) but the craziness of the world is so unsettling and the headlines make me so angry and sad. I just wanted to send a virtual hug. I wish the world was a better place”.
After sending the text however, I felt empty. This person already knew I was an ally. This person knew that if I was currently in the classroom I would plan a lesson, open up my classroom for discussion on how the boys felt and encourage them to put emotions to action. But it would end there. I admit it. But not this time. I, like many in the world, felt it was time to do MUCH MUCH more. And, this post from a friend in Minneapolis opened my eyes even more.
So what am I doing? I’m challenging myself to do at least 7 things each week that allows me to explore the compelling why alongside the how. This challenge allows me to do what I can, while also keeping my family safe during a pandemic. I do this because it needs to be done. I do this because #blacklivesmatter And I do this so that my two sons can grow up in a world that is both just and peaceful. So how have I spent my “free time” this week?
I Listened:
Excerpt from Malcolm Gladwell’s book “David and Goliath”. Revisionist History Presents: The Limits of Power
I Watched:
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man with Matthew McConaughey
Ironically I also watched Jeffrey Epstein Documentary. Talk about power, money and privilege.
I Signed and Supported:
Change.org Petition for Sonic to Act
Change.org Change the Status of KKK
I Donated:
I Talked:
Over the course of the week I engaged in conversations about privilege and race with my husband, parents, and even a student that I taught 18 years ago. I also participated in a conversations with colleagues via Zoom.
I Walked:
Neighborhood Children’s Walk. Taken from the back as I don’t want to expose children’s faces without permission. But it was 100 people deep!
I reflected:
I am not posting my actions and discoveries because this movement is about me or because I deserve credit. I am posting these things because I am holding myself accountable for learning and offering suggestions to those who may not no where to start. I am also open to your suggestions. Please leave a comment.