When I read about the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, I didn’t know what to say. What could I add to the conversation that hasn’t already been said a thousand times? Before I found the words, I learned about the murder of Breonna Taylor, and again didn’t know what to say. Now, the murder of George Floyd is in the news and I still have nothing to offer.
Instead of remaining silent, let me say at least this:
To Ahmaud, Breonna, George, and other people of color whose lives have been stolen from them, I see you, and I am so sorry.
To their family, friends, and loved ones, mourning these unspeakable losses, I see you, and I am so sorry.
To people of color who feel this violence echoing in their skin and in their bodies, I see you, and I am so sorry.
To those organizing, educating, and working tirelessly for the rights of black people and other people of color, I see you, and thank you.
Resources:
For Our White Friends Desiring To Be Allies, an article in Sojourners from 2017 by Courtney Ariel, has some good education about things that were not intuitive to me as a white person trying to take part in conversations about racial justice.
The Ebenezer Project is a blog by Bonita Chaim, where she discusses racial justice among other things. She is a friend, and I have benefited from her insight and the great resources that she shares both in her blog and on Facebook.
Thank you, Esther. Well spoken; deeply felt.
Yes good words. I join you. “I see you, I’m sorry.”