Conversations

What happened to George Floyd in the state we call home and a city so many of us love has left my heart aching. My heart ached the countless times this happened before, but I stayed silent. This week it became clear that sitting here weeping and doing nothing about it doesn't do a gosh darn thing, it's part of the problem. 

In the past, I've shied away from having uncomfortable conversations even though I felt deep down they were necessary. I would shield our kiddos from the news, feeling they were too young to discuss. I wouldn't sit down with my husband, family, or friends to listen to the people around us and talk about what we could do as privileged white people to be part of the change. I never did any research on my own. I never sought out knowledge around racism or black history. I never looked for resources to help myself and my kids understand our privilege and do better. I needed to have an uncomfortable conversation with myself first, and there is no doubt I need to do better. 

I read a quote this week, that had me saying "same." 

"A younger version of my privileged self believed that because I don't actively hold racist beliefs, because I believe and know that Black lives matter, that I was doing enough by simply not behaving as a racist, that I was doing enough.  

I was wrong. 

Anti-racism work is work that never stops. 

Here for it. For learning, and listening and committing to never stopping." 

-Anna Sweeney

This week I've started listening, learning, researching, donating, and having those conversations. We've started at the Helleen home and don't plan on stopping.