To say I am horrified by the recent murder of George Floyd is an understatement. I hope that he is the catalyst for the much-needed changes that must take place. I pray he is not just one more person in a long list of black men and women whose lives were tragically cut short. By the outpouring of love and support, I can sense his death will not be in vain.

This morning I listened to the Governor of Michigan speak about our American crisis. She stated, “A human being without a moral compass should not be given a badge and a gun.” That about sums it up. Perhaps that is a sufficient answer to our children’s questions of why did George Floyd die.

Yet, many of us know it is far greater than a police issue. It is a piece of a larger systemic racial injustice that has percolated below the surface of our communities for far too long.

I hope that our children will not have to experience this all-too-prevalent disparity in their lives. That they will not have to fight for the basic human right of equality and dignity. And will not have to suffer the racial bias and socio-economic hardship of our past.

Now more than ever, many of us must reflect on our positions and beliefs. As I do so, I realize I am not intimately in touch with the struggles of those marginalized by an oppressive system. Beyond my dismay, I often feel powerless to affect change.

I ask myself, what more can I do?

I can continue to model my desire to love rather than hate.

I can offer equality and dignity to others.

I can help my grandchild learn to include rather than exclude and to uplift rather than tear down.

I can see the bonds and connections with people of color, rather than the differences and separations.

I can explore resources, donate to causes, and broaden my actions.

Let us remember there is a big difference between what we declare and what we demonstrate.

Think about this long and hard. I know I will continue to do so.

Today I consider how I may further bring about change. Here are some links that have broadened my perspective. Perhaps they will speak to your concerns as well.

(an article on the site Equality Includes You that suggests 75 things white people can do for social justice)

(31 children’s books to support conversations on race, racism, and resistance)

https://www.leeandlow.com
(multicultural children’s book publisher)

https://bailproject.org
(The Bail Project)

https://blacklivesmatter.com
(Black Lives Matter)

https://eji.org
(Equal Justice Initiative)

https://www.naacpldf.org
(NAACP)

https://colorofchange.org
(Color of Change)

https://thelovelandfoundation.org
(The Loveland Foundation)