It's been a turbulent ride with a pandemic and a historical revolution. People's true colors have come out with Covid -19 and Black Lives Matter. I read a statement that that resonated with me. "What if 2020 isn't cancelled. What is it's an evolution we've been waiting for? A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw ~ that it finally forces us to GROW. A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber. A year we finally accept the need for change. Questioning the status quo. Declare change. Work for change. Becoming the change. A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart?"
In order for that to happen, we have to lose our ego. That's really difficult to do in a divided country. How about instead of making America great again we make America compassionate?
Back to Black Lives Matter, the message is clear "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."
The Black Lives Matter is a movement whose mission is to eradicate white supremacy. An anti-racist advocacy. An organization that builds power to bring justice, healing, and freedom to Black people across the globe. The 2020 protests made it one of the largest movements in U.S. history.
The people in our town also felt "moved" and wanted to show support and have a discussion about being anti-racist. We not only had one, but two, protests. I understand that everyone's lives matter. Everyone knows that "all lives matter" but not everyone knows that Black Lives Matter. Black lives have been treated as lesser for the entire history of our country. Seen as threats and criminals because of traditions passed down through generations. Martin Luther King said "Riots are the language of the unheard." Many people in the country are sad, angry, hurt, and desperate for change. Change is not happening where white supremacists feel comfortable coming out of their cave, so to speak.
We are living through a time where citizens are coming to grips with the deeply embedded historical legacy of racist structures, institutions, and ideas. When you do your research ~ books, podcasts, documentaries, events they don't teach you in school, personal experiences (you know we ALL have stories) ~ you see the blocks stacked up. If you don't know, it's OK, there's always time to learn. Being anti-racist is turning inward to our own thoughts and actions, and in a lot of cases being uncomfortable in conversations. Yes, they are uncomfortable conversations to have. People talk about their dislike for small talk. Cut the chit-chat! That they are longing for deep, meaningful dialogue. Long walks on the beaches... ok, I'm being sarcastic now Haha. Point is, this is a important conversation to have. I never felt so much judgement in my life (on social media by white people) than I have supporting Black Lives Matter. That's when I knew it was a conversation we should be having!
I am really grateful and proud of the town of Baker and the peaceful protest. A little more than 60 people showed up in support of Black Lives Matter. The best part was a dialogue, talking about what people of color go through. The willingness to listen and have an open mind and an open heart. It all starts with hearing experiences of others and trying to educate yourself on why things are the way they are. Really listening. One of my favorite quotes by Jim Carrey, who fought depression like Robin Williams, is "We are living in a society (intentionally created this way) and people are starting to recognize that the reason they feel like they are mentally ill is that they're living in a system that's not designed to suit the human spirit." For Black people, they have been living in a socially constructed world of whiteness.
There is a lot of trauma and pain in a country that needs healing. The world needs more empathy and willingness to listen and change. The message that Black Lives Matter is the change that needs to be heard. In the story of "Alice in Wonderland," the caterpillar sits on a mushroom, smokes the hookah, and speaks to Alice, then directs her the magic mushroom that allows her to shrink and grow. "You" he said, "are a terribly real thing ~ in a false world, and that, is why you are in so much pain."
I know that I could feel the love in our community. The conversation helped us learn and gain direction on how to be better humans. We want to make the world a better place.
What the world needs now, is love sweet love; and for people to be treated equally. With great change comes great growing pains. We are feeling the weight and the pain of the world right now.
My friend Gretchen did a great blog post about the event (Here) held in our hometown.
These rally's got the attention of other parts of the state when Gretchen wrote a great article and it was featured on the front page of The Ely Times and the pages of The Sierra Nevada Ally.
I would highly recommend reading it Here.
These are the days of our lives. Going to a birthday party makes you forget about the woes of the world. Charlie turned 13. Big transition in a young person's life. These are the peeps we usually hang out with. Outdoors is the name of the game during Covid-living. Home Farm pond is such a treat.
How are our kids turning into teenagers already? *Sniff*
I've been enjoying more blooms in my yard. Carousel of colors poppin' into dark days when we need it the most.
I'm proud of this father right here as well as the men who raised him :)
The clouds at the end of June have been dramatic, creating beautiful shows at 8:00 pm....
I like to listen to and find the lessons nature teaches us. So far, in 2020 we have a pandemic and historical revolution. Happening at the same time, it's a hard pill for society to swallow.
1. A virus no one saw coming can wipe out a population, and an empire they built. In a blink.
2. The sky regularly expresses it's artistic canvas at sunset, reminding us to celebrate the color in our world :)
