“this is not enough” AND “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime”

It is Juneteenth. Please read more from Jemar Tisby about why this should be a national holiday here. We celebrated today by learning more of the history, getting a treat (because kids celebrate with treats ALWAYS), watching the LIVE Free to Be with The Witness BCC today,and praying together. Lord, help us to raise our beautiful Black daughter to love herself and her heritage. May we be humble & always willing to learn. May we continue to learn our collective history & celebrate all people. Enslavement does not just end- it evolves and changes and we must root it out.

Let justice roll.

At a recent march in Chicago two interactions struck me as so important. As hundreds of people were walking on the South Side of Chicago my daughter noticed an elder woman sitting and speaking. We stopped for a moment to listen. She was emotional as she shared, “I never thought I would see this in my lifetime.” She was thanking many people from all backgrounds for being there. As we continued walking 2 men started speaking powerful truths. They spoke about the realities they face in their neighborhood. They called on white people to understand that THIS- marching, praying, good intentions, etc are NOT ENOUGH. They led a chant….

“this..”

“is not enough”

And they are absolutely correct. As a so called white person how can I respond faithfully? It is a question I am constantly asking and learning to act on imperfectly. What will we do when this is not trending? How will we dismantle structural and systemic racism in our country and ourselves? Will we follow and be humble to not arrive late to the party and then try to control the party?

My children and yours need to hear BOTH of those voices because the Black community is not a monolith. Much has been overcome AND there is much work to do. Liberation is still in process.

*I am not posting faces or identities to respect all who are exercising their rights to protest but unjustly targeted for amplifying their voices (it SO American to protest friends!)

We must acknowledge the work left to be done if we are to see real change. “Joy is resistance” as Pastor John Faison shared on the Live Pass the Mic Podcast today and I pray my brothers and sisters of color have defiant joy today and always. May we continue to fight until all are truly free.

Act.

Give.