You belong. Your skin. You hair. Your soul. It all belongs.
You know if I close my eyes I can remember the first time I recognized myself as being black and sadly it was at the hands of someone that wasn’t black being enraged about who I am. I feel bad that they missed out on my dopeness. That they missed out on the way my smile and infectious laughter lights up rooms.
For generations before me my ancestors fought for the rights and opportunities that in 2020 it feels like we are still fighting for. Ahmaud Arbery was murdered by George and Travis McMichael. While Ahmaud was out jogging the McMichaels suspected he could be a burglar and pursued him. That pursuit resulted in his death.
For many in America, responding to the seemingly-endless shootings of African Americans has become a horrific form of muscle memory. After yet another tragedy like the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery occurs, we see similar patterns: an initial burst of reporting, followed quickly by social media commentary, followed by think-pieces across various platforms, followed by social media commentary on the think-pieces.
Within a week, however, the entire matter is tied up nicely and everyone is able to move on. Most of us forget as we return to being engrossed in our lives, only to be thrust back into this cycle when another new shooting is jarring enough to penetrate the blaring noise of our daily news-cycle.
The unjustified killings of black people in America doesn’t pick at a scab. We don’t have scabs because we haven’t had the luxury to be safe enough to heal. These murders further infect an open wound. A wound that reminds of the day to day of us trying to live and engage in a life that is worthy of showing people that who we are belongs. Recently I have allowed myself the freedom of allowing myself to be free in God’s eyes. Racism is about making quick judgments on the characteristics of a race to rate them as inferior or superior—demonstrating partiality or bias. Racism is a problem we can’t ignore or run away from. It’s an issue today, and it was an issue throughout history, including when the Bible was written. Let me tell you something though,
God brings peace where there was once strife, and kindness where there was once animosity.
For every person I feel like does not get it, God always sends me one more that has a desire to get it and understand my story fully. They pray over me, they mourn with me when I am heartbroken over another life, and most importantly they don’t try to fix it. To my white friends that are reading this and you find yourself with a friend that is not the same color as you, they just want you to check in. Ask about their stories. Remind them that they matter and that they belong. They need the reminder, because it let’s them know… they are free.
God,
We thank you that freedom truly belongs with you. That no matter what pain the world brings that we get to be connected in unity and oneness with you. I pray for the brokeness, and hurt that people of color are experiencing and they would feel seen and known in new ways. That they would know that you have not forgotten or forsaken your people no matter what the world may say. We all belong, we all matter, and we are all beautiful.
Sincerely,
Becoming...Free
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