It’s Friday but I don’t have a baby making update this week (nothing new to report). Actually I’ve been quiet on the blog and social media this week with the exception of a few moments of joy in the coach store and post workout. The truth is I have just not known what to say or write. I mean how can I Chase Joy when my brothers are being killed????
In case you missed my smiling face in my header, have never been to my IG, Facebook, or YouTube sites let me inform you that I am black. I had a black dad. I have black brothers. I have black nephews. I have black friends. I LOVE black men and will likely marry one. I hope to one day have a black son. I am not even pregnant yet and I am afraid for him along with every other black man in my life, family, and community (and by community I mean Black men living in America). Honestly I am afraid for myself as well but even more afraid for them. I feel like it is open season on killing black men and it hurts.
Not all police are bad. I’d even venture to say that most are good. However, when I see flashing lights the amount of fear that I feel is unnatural and unhealthy and unfortunately it is not an overreaction when you see these videos over and over and over again. I, like too many other Black Americans have my own personal experiences with police that increase these feelings of distrust. I grew up in a police district where several officers were arrested for selling and planting drugs on citizens, mostly young black men and boys. I have also been in the car twice driving through white neighborhoods with a black man at the wheel and been followed by the police. I was a little girl when it happened with my dad and a grown woman when it happened on a date. When I pair my own personal experience with what I am seeing in the media I have just been at a loss for words. How can I encourage you to Chase Joy when my brothers are being killed?
What is happening now is not new. I grew up with my dad warning my brothers, as little boys, not to run in the street after dark because the police will think you are running from a crime you committed. Now with social media and cameras everywhere we are all getting to see it. Like I said most police are not bad but there is obviously a systemic issue with how police are trained. Specifically how they are trained to manage their fears in hostile and dangerous situations. Even more so the heightened sense of fear and that seems to be prevalent when the subject of an officer’s attention is black needs to be addressed. This need to go above and beyond diversity training. I am not a sociologist or a criminal justice subject matter expert so I don’t have the answer to this problem. But I know things have to change.
How can we Chase Joy when my brothers are being killed? The short answer is we can’t. Being black in this country and possible in the world means that we live with a certain level of fear and insecurity that surrounds us like an invisible and ever present Joy Thief. The long answer is that we have to find a way. Regardless of the painful things we see on TV and experience in our everyday lives we have to strive to have happiness and Joy in our lives. So my advice is to be fully present in those moments of happiness wither they take place at the Coach store, your family bbq, or watching your kids in the pool. Remember your self-care, workout and make healthy choices. Practice your faith and follow your heart when it comes to how you chose to speak out for change and justice.
I’ll leave you with this. I read Our Daily Bread at work before I start my day. Today’s included the following scripture “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” Mathew 5:44. I am feeling pretty persecuted right now so I will be praying.
