I’m very angry. As in my-hands-are-still-shaking, mad as a wet hen.
And heartbroken.
Late last night or early this morning, someone wrote a hateful message on the chalkboard of a student’s dorm bedroom door.
The author scrawled (in not so nice terms) that African-American students do not belong here.
{Update to the situation here.}
I can’t imagine what it is like to feel unsafe in your living space.
As a Caucasian woman who has always lived in predominately white areas, I’ve never faced discrimination because of my race. I do try to stay up to date on current events, but they often feel distant and impersonal. What happened today hit home for several reasons.
- This happened at my school. I have one degree from Grace College and Theological Seminary, and I’m currently in graduate school here as well.
- As the body of Christ, we are called to be unified. God is love (1 John 4:8).
- I have a family friend who has many similarities to the student that was targeted. She is African-American and a college freshman at a small Christian school in a predominately white, rural area of PA. She is passionate, talented, and loving. I struggle to understand how someone could hate just based on skin color, but I am aware that it happens.
In light of so many hateful actions all over the world and close to home in the past few weeks, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I preordered Brené Brown’s book because I LOVE her work.
Mini bunny trail: this picture is a link to her website pleeeeeeeaaaaaase read everything that she has ever written okay thanks.
Her newest book is Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone. She outlines four practices of true belonging and today the first practice has been screaming for my attention.
“People are hard to hate close up. Move in.”
When you have individual faces of people that you know and love, it is hard to stereotype and hate large groups because of one characteristic like gender, sexuality, race, etc.
Get to know people that you see as different from you. You will be enriched by their strengths and friendship. You can listen to someone else’s point of view without having to agree with them.
“If it doesn’t break your heart it isn’t love.” -Switchfoot
Listen to what others have to say without becoming defensive. It is not your place to decide how much another person can be hurt.
Ask for more information and don’t jump to conclusions. Take initiative to understand.
This is not a comprehensive post by any means, but a reminder to have hard conversations and love others.
Below you will see covers of some books and movies that a friend and I came up with. Each features characters who are minorities and have powerful things to say. Media can be a helpful tool for learning about others. Just read the reviews and make sure it is a decent representation haha
If you click on a picture of a cover it will take you to the Amazon link. If you have anything to add, leave a comment! I would love to add your suggestions.
Save this image to find again later.
