Invulnerable Fragility

"The truth is that as much democracy as this nation has today, it has been borne on the backs of black resistance. Our founding fathers may not have actually believed in the ideals they espoused, but black people did. As one scholar, Joe R. Feagin, put it, ‘‘Enslaved African Americans have been among the foremost freedom- fighters this country has produced.’’ For generations, we have believed in this country with a faith it did not deserve. Black people have seen the worst of America, yet, somehow, we still believe in its best."- Nikole Hannah Jones This powerful quote came from the brilliant and controversial New York Times magazine entitled "The 1619 Project".  I have heard so many times that black people just play the victim and don't pick themselves up from their bootstraps and get to work in order to get themselves out of poverty and their plight.  Well, they have been doing this for generations.  We just refuse to see this collective effort because of the ...

 Something happened after George Floyd that caused a shift in response to racial injustices across the country.  More people were paying attention than ever before.  For some black people, it caused an awakening of their voices like never before.  This has sometimes led to some being more vocal in opposition to their friends, like me and you, and our ignorant or even combative comments and ideas.   You see, sometimes, even though we are well-intended and think we are beyond needing correction about racism, we actually DO need correction.  It is a gift when our black friends or friends of color correct us because they don't have to.  They could just let us be ignorant and subconsciously racist or biased and just carry on- KNOWING that you have some deep seated ideas down in there.  Sometimes this results in their taking a step back from you and perhaps spending less time having real conversations.  Their trust may be broken and they don't...

 A few months ago something happened in Durham, NC not far from where I live that shook me as a mother.  Having biracial or black children is a bit frightening these days, to be honest.  This incident occurred while the kids were playing outside.  Durham police had received calls about drugs and gun violence at this apartment community earlier and got another call and saw a boy (15 year old black male) hiding behind a building and assumed this was their suspect.  So they apprehend the boy, pat him down, and handcuff him.  He was playing tag with his younger brother and neighbor! They aimed guns at him! They eventually realized they had the wrong kid and let him go.  Some kids have not been so lucky.   I keep thinking this could be my boys.  This could happen to them and if it did, what would happen? Would they be fortunate and survive the incident? Because some young black boys do not survive.  What about the trauma and trust brok...