I’m scared to say something. I don’t know anything. But saying nothing just adds to the problem. So I’m just going to write, because my fear of sounding stupid is nothing compared to the fear that my fellow Americans feel everyday when they drive down the street or go to the market.
That four-year-old girl in the car with Philando Castille? I haven’t watched the video, but I hear she was calm. She was comforting her mama. She wasn’t shocked. And I wonder….had she been taught? Had she been told that this is what happens sometimes? The horror, to expect violence. To expect death.
I keep hearing “All Lives Matter,” and they do. Of course they do. But as my sweet friend Lisa says, shouting “Save the Rainforests” doesn’t mean we want to cut down the pine forests. All forests are beautiful, all forests matter. All lives matter. But our black friends have dealt with centuries of injustice and hate and danger, and with them right now we are saying “Black Lives Matter” — black lives are worth protecting. They are worth us speaking out, even when we don’t know what to say.
I want to take a minute to brag on my city. Now I’m not saying Nashville is perfect, but I truly believe our police department is working hard to listen and to see. In 2014, as demonstrators marched for Ferguson, police met them on the streets — not with shields or handcuffs, but with hot chocolate. And when protestors moved to the interstate against police requests, they weren’t arrested. They were protected as police stopped traffic, keeping all citizens safe.
Love, folks. Respect. Not hate, not violence.
What We Can Do:
Write Letters
Right now you can go to libraries in Nashville and write notes to the families of Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and the Dallas police officers. If you aren’t in Nashville, check out other ways to share your heartbreak with these families.
Ask Questions
Find out if your local police department and judicial system offer anti-bias training. If not, ask them to consider it. This American Life offers an interesting episode on the importance of battling implicit bias.
Listen
I don’t know about you guys, but I get defensive when I feel under-informed and powerless. I’m going to do my best to listen and learn about the ways I can help. I’m going to listen to Black Lives Matter activists who tell me I’m doing it wrong. I’m going to listen to the families of police officers who tell me they worry about their loved ones and what is said about them. I’ll do my best to hear the pain and the fear and listen to their experiences.
There is so much hurt in the world. Tonight, news of lost lives in France. And my heart breaks. For me, I’m turning to prayer. And when my heart is so full of sorrow that it might burst, I’ll speak out. I’ll write. I’ll be here. Because these lives matter.
Amen
This is great! I would add “get connected”. Project Connect Nashville was built on the premise that true relationship between disconnected people groups is what will transform all of us towards hope and dignity. If we don’t walk outside our comfort zone we are missing an opportunity to love and unite. More love and unity means that we will be looking more at our commanality while celebrating our various cultures. When we walk with others, the “others” feel free to walk in confidence and with connection. End soapbox.
Alan, thank you for adding your perspective on this! Yes, getting connected and walking together is so important.
If y’all want to see the work Alan and his organization do in the community, check out //projectconnectnashville.org.