Before Standing Firm

/ Megan Wright

I had a blog planned for today about standing firm, but I believe this has to come first. This conversation has to be had here. This is our race to run. This requires endurance. This demands us to pause long enough to realize white privilege is real, and black lives do matter.

On #BlackoutTuesday my family took time to learn, to listen, to lean in. We picked up books from our local (rural) library and ordered a few others (that were still in stock). We read quotes and stories online.

My kids usually pick a verse from the Bible and film a video to encourage those listening (we call it #TruthTuesday). This week they chose a favorite quote from a person of color, to help give voice to their words, and filmed it over a black screen.

“I believe we are here on the planet Earth to live, grow up and do what we can to make this world a better place for all people to enjoy freedom.” – Rosa Parks

“Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins.” – Barack Obama

“Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” – Harriet Tubman

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

I’m finding my angle is expanding. My perspective is widening. And I am grateful.

I will not despise small beginnings.

It feels a little like I’ve been sheltered my whole life. I haven’t seen the racism and prejudice that’s all around. I had no idea about some of the history, the stories that took place – whether I don’t remember from my public schooling days, or maybe more likely – we were never taught. I remember the names of Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr, Sojourner Truth, and Harriet Tubman. But after learning about Fannie Lou Hamer and Henry “Box” Brown for the first time yesterday, and reading some of Coretta Scott King’s perspective, I’m humbled and outraged and sitting with the pain of ignorance and being unaware for over three decades. Since I’m being honest, I even had to Google what ‘BIPOC’ means this week because I don’t think I’ve ever even seen it before.

So I’m choosing to engage. I’m choosing to challenge my way of thinking.

It’s time for a change. It’s time for justice. It’s time to practice what we preach – love and freedom and unity.

This is the beginning of my journey, and there are many things I don’t yet know. There are even more things I will never understand this side of heaven. I’m not here to debate or condone, and I’m not claiming to be knowledgeable. I admit I have a lot of catching up to do. I feel like I’m fumbling my way through.

But I do want to use this platform to say – let’s do the work. The hard work, the heart work. Let’s be aware. There’s a time to speak up and a time to listen.

I may not know or agree with every detail that the #BlackLivesMatter movement stands for. I think that’s okay.

I’m not here to agree with everyone 100% of the time. Wouldn’t that be impossible (and a little crazy)? I want to bring my whole self to the table. I’m unique, wired a certain way; no one can see things exactly from my perspective and through my filters, not completely anyway.

I’m also not here to spend my time disagreeing with people. I’m here to learn and grow and help put an end to white supremacy. I’m here to teach my kids to love no matter what someone’s appearance may be.

I’ve seen glimpses of unfairness – my kids being bullied for their height, my son having having to deal with multiple medical conditions as well as developmental and learning delays, me not being allowed to preach at some churches because I’m a woman – BUT nothing compares to the racism that my fellow Americans with a different color of skin have endured. For centuries.

And while it is awful that riots and looting are damaging businesses… it is even more terrible that lives are being taken unjustly and inhumanely.

Ahmaud Arbery should be alive. George Floyd should be alive. Breonna Taylor should be alive (and still deserves justice).

I cannot keep my head in the sand any longer. I will grow and stretch and lean in to the pain – it’s the least I can do. I will be praying and researching more ways I can get involved. I’m sure I’ll say the wrong things – and I will learn and I will do better because that work never stops.

I am here.

I invite you to start somewhere. Wherever you’re at in your journey, take a step forward. I was first convicted as I looked at our 5 full bookshelves and could only find a handful written by or about people of color. That’s changing. We need their stories, their perspectives, their beauty and their pain. Here are some resources for you; it can be overwhelming, but I encourage you – pick one. (Or ten.) Start by visiting your local library (in person or online).

Books we’re reading (*we checked these out from our local library):

Books we’re waiting for:

Books on our wish list:

P.S. Our favorite place to shop online for used books is ThriftBooks – use this link for a 15% off coupon!

This week’s song suggestions:

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