Loving each other is simple. We are born knowing how to do it.
Listening to one another is easy. You just stay quiet and let the other person speak.
Those two things combined are a great beginning to understanding and healing. But they are not enough.
Idle solidarity, or static love, isn’t enough to create the change that must be made in the world. It’s true that it can seem so overwhelming to know how to help, where to start, what to do. The events of the past week beginning with the death of George Floyd and the subsequent marches and riots have, once again, shed light on the brazen racial inequalities that exist in our society. As those who feel the oppression every day rise up in frustration and anger, we who have been born in privilege long to show our solidarity but often cannot find the words or understand how.
Perhaps the best way we can help is to always fight to do better. Not to stand by idly but to work to see that all people, those of color, different gender identities, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientation are all given the same rights, the same honor, and the same human dignity. We do this in our work at KHDS and we must do this in our daily lives.
Another way to honor those who face these daily obstacles is to welcome them as proud members of our community. Support black owned businesses and show them they are valued here as are all hard-working business owners. Recognize the contributions our African American neighbors make to our city and county. Too often the press and media only show the opposite, the negative stories, and there are far more positive things to be focused on where the community is working together.
Lastly, vote! It is the best way to put that love into action. Vote out those who would continue to oppress and divide our community. Use your Constitutional Right to be heard and do it on the local level too. Local elections are just as, or maybe more, important than the national election.
Loving each other is simple. Putting that love into action takes the bravery to admit you have privilege and you are willing to do something about it.