Tis Me Michelle

Hi Wanderloves, I came out of blogging hibernation as I’ve been wrestling with what’s been going on. Wondering if I should make a post, what to say, and how to say it. That is a part of the problem. Those of us who are not directly impacted don’t feel like the know enough or don’t know what to say. But this is not the time to stay silent or feel like your voice is not important.

I admit the biggest struggle I have when it comes to racial issues and injustices is my simple lack of understanding. I am privileged to not feel personally attacked or have had those closest to me be effected. This makes it easy for me to ignore and and think that it does not impact me. Which is wrong. I am an Indian women and my life experience is different than that of the Black community and probably many other people of Color. What I am learning is that it is okay to to feel enraged; we should all be by the constant injustice, and not just when it hits home. And just because I have been lucky to not have been targeted, that doesn’t mean racism and injustice does not exist.

It is really a privilege to live as though my color doesn’t matter. One that I take for granted every day. It could be naiveté, it could be ignorance. I know I am often the only colored person in the room. Maybe I was prewired or it’s a survival mechanism through life, I tend to just stay quiet and ‘know my place’. Often times making myself believe it’s not my place to speak up. Could have been passed down by my parents who believe we should just be grateful for what we have and not to rock the boat. As immigrants, I understand, they do not want negative attention or any reason to have the racism or injustice pointed at themselves. But I’ve also had the luxury that I never truly felt like my race has made me feel unsafe. I couldn’t tell you why or what makes the color of my skin any different. I cannot fathom the burden it is to live in fear because of others ignorance. Speaking up and stepping out of my comfort zone is not my nature, but it is something we have to do – especially for those who are oppressed.

There is not a lot I can say that has not been said already. It is clear that we have a problem in this country targeted at our Black community. You should be enraged, whether it directly effects you or not. It’s maddening that having to watch an 8-minute excruciatingly long video of an innocent Black man, George Floyd, get murdered is what set that fire in me. There have been so many accounts in the last few months, years and decades. But this is where we are and we need to demand change, now. The video of George Floyd’s life getting taken away is numbing. What was enraging to watch while George’s life was being taken away was the officer who stood guard and let it happen. He wasn’t white, racism isn’t just black vs. white. I would be lying if I said that I did not have inherit biases and have had racist thoughts. Just because you are person of color, does not make you immune to racism. We all need to acknowledge our inherited racism and bias. And the worst atrocity of them all, we cannot stand watch and let injustice happen before us.

These three quotes have been on my mind the last few days:

If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.

Desmund Tutu

We must take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men and women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the center of the universe.

Elie Weisel

In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.

MLK

There needs to be reform. Real action needs to be taken on the Police force when they commit crimes of injustice and murder. We also have to have enough compassion to know that it is not all police. There does need to be better training, education and accountability held on their part. People who are targeting the Black community and harming them, need to be held accountable. We as a collective need to hold ourselves accountable to speak up and actively participate in making a change for the good. We need to stand with our Black brothers and sisters.

I’m spending time to learn more about how I can help. I’m listening to more podcasts and seeing where I can donate to make positive change. I’ve had a lot of conversations with friends of mine and we all are just trying to figure out what we can do and how to help. You don’t have to feel like you have to do all the things or binge everything right now. The point is, to do what you can do. Educate Yourself. Vote. Protest. Donate. In my opinion there is no ‘right’ way to help and fight this battle. Helping in any way is better than to be silent and not do anything. It’s time to Rise.

Black lives are not expendable. Black lives are worthy. Black lives are beautiful. Black Lives Matter.