The Stakes Are Too High

5414 days have passed since the 9/11 terrorist attacks in NYC and DC/VA

238 days have passed since Paris

108 days have passed since Belgium

57 days have passed since Orlando

Dontre Hamilton was unarmed and killed by police 800 days ago in my hometown of Milwaukee, WI.

Michael Brown was unarmed and killed by police 699 days ago in Ferguson, MO.

Freddie Gray was unarmed and killed by police 466 days ago in Baltimore, MD.

Last night, five Dallas Law Enforcement Officials were killed during a PEACEFUL protest following the untimely death of two young men, one in Minnesota and the other, Alton Sterling, unarmed, in Louisiana, at the hands of law enforcement.

There are too many similar stories to list here.

Listen. Listen CAREFULLY. The stakes are too high, people. If you think you don’t have a role in righting these wrongs …. YOU are wrong. If you think because your skin is the same color of those that enjoy privilege in this country, and these problems are “their” problems, you are wrong. We must stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of every race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic position. We must hold their hands in peaceful protest and stand up against oppression – against oppressors. My heart bleeds for my friends who fear for their lives, for the lives of their loved ones who don’t “fit” the mold of what people think should be the persona of this country.

If you don’t believe in the power of prayer, believe in this … if we, collectively, as a human race, put goodness into the world, it will overrun evil. It is simple mathematics.

Of course, surprise surprise, I am reminded of a lyric from a favorite Broadway musical.

“You change the world when you change your mind!” ~Cindy Lauper, Kinky Boots

Growing up, my father drilled this idea into our heads – that 99.9% of the people on this earth are GOOD. As I entered adulthood and as I was witness to the horrors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, escaping the city by foot, that idea seemed to be moving farther and farther away from my belief system. I don’t consider myself a cynic, but too many people were killing each other for … for what?? I decided some time back that I was scared to bring kids into this world. My dad would say to me; you can’t live your life in fear. He’s right. We can’t.

So, are you wondering where to even begin? I have a suggestion. Talk to your kids. Don’t think that this is a scary and uncomfortable topic for them because they are too young. It is never too early to teach your children about compassion and acceptance. We can’t carry over our bad behavior into the next generation. We have to stop it NOW. We have to talk to our future police officers, future educators, future moms and dads. We have to tell them that we were wrong and they can do better than us. If you don’t have children, talk to your friends that do. Again, it may not be the most comfortable topic of conversation, but the message is too important and stakes are too high.

We have to speak out.

We have to keep climbing on our proverbial soap boxes and we have to scream at the top of our lungs, to drown out the hate. The propaganda is so damaging – we have to drown it out.

Eventually, they HAVE to listen.

I was moved to tears upon watching this Facebook video of a young mother. I wanted to share it with you. She has a tremendous amount of bravery. There are a LOT of white people who are not going to like what she has to say. But, she is RIGHT. Not only do we white people have to take some responsibility, we have to SAY it. We have to walk the walk and SHOW the people that look like us that the hate - the evil - will be overrun. And that WE, the ones who believe in the good, will lead the charge.