I was 8-years-old when James Byrd Jr., a black man, was gruesomely murdered by three white men in my hometown. As for myself and many of my peers, the aftermath of this hate-crime left an imprint on our young minds. Personally, I will never wrap my head around it.
As years pass by I see and hear all that goes on. I can never experience the torment, but I can stand with black men and women, my brothers and sisters.
I can only imagine what it is like to raise black boys to be men in a society that degrades them before knowing them. With the recent tragedies of Ahmaud Arbery and now George Floyd, my heart continues to break. Maybe my color makes me irrelevant to fully understanding the pain, but, as a human, I can empathize of knowing pain itself.
I‘m sorry for not speaking out sooner.
I’m disturbed by the increase in modern day hate-crimes.
I’m afraid of the actions of others that I cannot control.
Inside, I’m burdened for our country to open their eyes. I’m tired of people saying they don’t see color. If you choose to be color-blind you are choosing to be blind to the white privilege that exists. To be blind is to remain in the dark where these hate-crimes continue to take place. Light needs to be shed for color to be seen and for JUSTICE to prevail.
Color is important because it shows culture, diversity, and beauty. It's not just skin deep, color has roots and history attached. That history is valid and black people are ALWAYS valid.
“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” [Romans 12:9-10]
Imperfectly Yours,
Katie