People say 2020 is a train wreck. Valid. It’s also been a year where the layer of subtle deception of the images people portray of themselves and the underbelly of much of society norms have been blown apart and exposed. So those who thought that 2020 would be, puns intended all over the place, visionary and clear, are partially right.
Watching the events of the last few months unfold to our horror has been a wake up call that I have needed, especially as a believer. There is much work to do. The first step is acknowledging the issues of racism and hate. The next has been listening to what I feel awkward about (writing this blog post, talking to my Black friends, adjusting my racially-undiverse TBR pile) and leaning into it as from the Holy Spirit prodding.
My word for this year is “abide”, and right now it’s showing up in how I’m abiding in the pain and horror and conversations and knowing the next steps of individual action as allies and accomplices to start making it a point to make being intentionally anti-racism in my own life. The Holy Spirit is convicting so many of this, and making us realize this needs to be on our radar more than it is. To know where it is subtly being played out in our communities. Our friendships. And beyond. Some will be called to speak into governments for the justice and reform needed. Some will only be called to teach their own children and their own heart. It is going to be a different fight for every one of us that were born into privilege, and it will never rival the fights and plights of those that are BIPOC and their families, but it is meaningful and needed.
This blog is mostly about introspection, about seeing God in creation, about developing our emotional and spiritual maturity, among other things, and this is one topic of systemic racism and all that it entails right now is one that hits all those points for me and is a turning point for my awareness. Humility is necessary. I’m thrown out of my comfort zone and have to toughen up my ego and at the same time soften my heart. I have to let myself be awkward or else I’ll never get from beginner to knowledgeable.
I read like a fish. So that is where I’m starting. Small encouragements here and on Instagram. Intentionally teaching about and celebrating other races and how they face equality issues to my children. Not being afraid of getting things wrong and having to back up, make awkward apologies, and starting again from where I messed up. And reading whatever I can get my hands on from those who are living these realities is a great start.
Currently Reading:
• Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
• Indigenous Canada (Online survey 12 week course offered by University of Alberta)
Currently Listening:
• Jo Saxton’s Tea Time on Instagram
• Latasha Morrison as a guest on Annie and Eddie Keep Talking podcast, and her Be The Bridge Podcast
• In The Light: The Podcast with Dr. Anita Phillips
Read Recently (on Race, or by BIPOC):
• Stolen Sisters by Emmanuelle Walter
• I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown
• Purple Hibiscus by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Pride by Ibi Zoboi
Now On My TBR Pile:
• What Lies Between Us by Lucretia Carter Berry
• Shalom Sistas: Living Wholeheartedly in a Brokenhearted World by Osheta Moore
• Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad
• Chokehold: Policing Black Men by Paul Butler
• The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
• White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
• Righting Canada’s Wrongs: Residential Schools by Melanie Florence
• 21 Things You May Not Know About The Indian Act by Bob Joseph
• Be The Bridge: Pursuing God’s Heart for Racial Reconciliation by LaTasha Morrison
• United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity by Trillia J. Newbell
• The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James H. Cone
• Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
• The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin