Healing

How will we heal after such a violent month around the world? Will the senseless killings of black and blue lead to change in all of us? Can it lead to dialogue between communities or will violence cause more hatred and violence or is it a little of both depending on where community members are in the grief cycle? I know that we must start by looking at our own words and actions at home, while driving, in our communities, and in our classroom. I catch myself judging and jumping to conclusions. I catch myself making stories about people when I don't take time to know them. I have to search within myself and uncover my fears, bias, and prejudices and continue to work on learning about perspectives that are different than my own. A community depends on developing understanding but it's hard to do when pain and fear are in the lead. We react instead if act when nerves are raw and people fear for their lives. We went to a Michael Franti concert and he reminded us that we have a choice on how to act from here on out and a responsibility to remember that one person's actions do not represent a community. I am sending heartfelt wishes of peace and healing to the families of last week's violence: Philando Castile, Alton Sterling, and the five policemen shot in Dallas. My heartfelt condolences also to the friends, significant others/partners, families of those killed in Orlando. So sad that there are even more lost in war and violence overseas. I am so sorry that some of my tax dollars go to violence that kills civilians and creates pain for moms who love their children but have ended up on the wrong side of powerful politics. There are no easy answers, there are no quick fixes when it comes to power, authority, access, prejudice, inequity, justice, or poverty versus privilege. May we all heal, change ourselves, and better our communities in small and lasting ways in rememberance of those who were taken by hatred and inhumanity.