Revulsion over lost Black lives provides a moment of seismic change for all of us
In the spring of 2017, I took a local course called, “White Privilege, Let’s Talk.”
The curriculum was designed to help participants understand what it means to be Black in America, and how being white offers systemic benefits we don’t often recognize. The course was challenging because it made us look at difficult truths, and wrestle with our reactions. It also required a high level of trust and openness among us, and helped us share in ways we hadn’t before.
One of the most valuable assignments was the requirement to write our own autobiography through the lens of race. I explored and wrote about how I experienced myself as a white person in relationship to Blacks. I attended Stadium High School in the late 1960’s where, with a few exceptions, the races stayed apart. I started college in Oregon in 1968, the year that Martin Luther King was murdered, and saw the rise of the Black Student Union and the understandable anger, pain and pride that Blacks were expressing. The course in 2017 offered a way for me to revisit those experiences and gain new perspectives.
This year, during months of shutdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I learned that the virus has killed disproportionate numbers of African-Americans, due in large part to their employment as essential workers, inadequate health care, and underlying health conditions, health conditions that are often due to stress.
A viral awakening
To add to the mix, I’ve seen numerous photos and videos of Black men and women being beaten or killed by police. The combination of the virus and these viral images are the impetus that awakened me even more to the truth of systemic racism. It’s awakened others too, and brought protesters into the streets. This is a moment of seismic change, and I’m so glad to see it happening right now!
Protesters are demanding justice, and affirming that Black Lives Matter. Some people counter argue that everybody’s life matters, but I believe when one set of people have been enslaved and systematically disenfranchised for over 400 years they deserve our focused attention, our care and our action.
So, I take a knee metaphorically to protest centuries of Black misery. I take a knee in sympathy for years of pain and sorrow. I take a knee against the ignorance and bigotry that perpetuates racism. I take a knee and bow my head to honor all those harmed since American slavery began in 1619. I take a knee for all the loved ones who cried for their lost brothers and sisters. For all the dreams turned into nightmares, I take a knee. I acknowledge that African-Americans helped build this country but were not rewarded for their efforts. Instead, they were cheated out of decent jobs, housing, education, and healthcare. I grieve for all of their beloved children who’ve suffered in each generation. I accept their anger at centuries of living in existential fear, not knowing what danger awaits them at every turn.
There are actions that we can take to fight against systemic racism, and become allies, “antiracists.” Some of those actions are being taken in our own community. Mayor Kit Kuhn proclaimed June 10th as “Stand Against Racism Day” and took part in a rally and march. Our young people are peacefully protesting and being supported by our local police department.
In our upcoming elections, I will vote for politicians that express support for policies that will stop racism. I will read books like “Just Mercy,” by Bryan Stevenson, and I will make financial contributions to groups like Black Lives Matter, NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Color of Change.
Join me.
Reach Mary Magee at marymagee@harbornet.com
This story was originally published July 1, 2020 at 5:08 PM.