There are so many emotions in the air right now. The world is purging years of fear, anger, confusion, sadness, and further complicated combinations. Some people are scared to say the wrong thing while others can’t contain themselves, screaming what they’ve known was right for so many years. That Black Lives Matter.
People are figuring out what’s in their power to do...
Protest!
Donate!
Educate themselves!
Have difficult conversations!
Serve others in meaningful ways!
The COVID-19 pandemic complicates things. Some people have or live with people with health concerns. Some people are counting pennies with their unemployment support (or lack thereof) and can’t donate or decline work. But we still must do something.
We’re all still processing. Some are motivated to jump into action and others feel numb. Some are quick to join certain aspects of the movement while others are in deep reflection of themselves and their environment. There’s also an element of performance that many feel they must prove that they’re supportive of the movement. Yet that’s not all that genuine, is it?
I’m trying to remind myself that never is there only one way to solve something. Revealing the systemic malfunction built into our nation will take more than just protesting or just donating or just Facebook posts. This foundation needs to full-on crumble. Only then can we heal the generations of fear that caused this ongoing abuse of power. We can then rebuild a new one that serves everyone with the appropriate priorities.
Beyonce’s song, “Freedom,” spoke to me as I researched artistic expression around the Black Lives Matter movement and police brutality. I hope it may speak to you as it did for me. There are so many modes of expression that need to be heard right now. Healing is needed not just in policy, but in our hearts.
Tryna rain, tryna rain on the thunder
Tell the storm I'm new
I'm a wall, come and march on the regular
Painting white flags blue
Lord forgive me, I've been running
Running blind in truth
I'ma rain, I'ma rain on this bitter love
Tell the sweet I'm new
I'm telling these tears, go and fall away, fall away
May the last one burn into flames
Freedom! Freedom!
I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose
Singin', freedom! Freedom!
Where are you?
'Cause I need freedom, too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I'ma keep running
'Cause a winner don't quit on themselves
I'ma wade, I'ma wave through the waters
Tell the tide, "Don't move"
I'ma riot, I'ma riot through your borders
Call me bulletproof
Lord forgive me, I've been runnin'
Runnin' blind in truth
Tell the deep I'm new
I'm telling these tears, go and fall away, fall away
May the last one burn into flames
Freedom! Freedom!
I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose
Singin', freedom! Freedom!
Where are you?
'Cause I need freedom, too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I'ma keep running
'Cause a winner don't quit on themselves
Ten Hail Marys, I meditate for practice
Channel nine news tell me I'm movin' backwards
Seven misleadin' statements 'bout my persona
Six headlights wavin' in my direction
Five-o askin' me what's in my possession
Yeah I keep runnin', jump in the aqueducts
Fire hydrants and hazardous
Smoke alarms on the back of us
But mama don't cry for me, ride for me
Try for me, live for me
Breathe for me, sing for me
Honestly guidin' me
Stole from me, lied to me, nation hypocrisy
Code on me, drive on me
Wicked, my spirit inspired me
Like yeah, open correctional gates in higher desert
Yeah, open our mind as we cast away oppression
I pray it forever reads
Freedom! Freedom!
I can't move
Freedom, cut me loose
Singin', freedom! Freedom!
Where are you?
'Cause I need freedom, too
I break chains all by myself
Won't let my freedom rot in hell
Hey! I'ma keep running
'Cause a winner don't quit on themselves
What you want from me?
Is it truth you seek?
Oh, Father, can you hear me?
What you want from me?
Is it truth you seek?
Oh, Father, can you hear me?
Hear me out
"I had my ups and downs
I was served lemons, but I made lemonade"
The BlackLivesMatter website provides a number of resources and helpful tips regarding the movement. I found their Healing in Action toolkit to be particularly helpful. It provides productive self-care recommendations and reflective prompts for both individual and collective healing. Look further through the site to find resources addressing safety, trauma, and grief.
This is a time for conversation. Please e-mail me at abigail@empathingsblog.com if you’d like to discuss anything with me publicly or privately. I’d love to hear any insight or questions.
Keep marching on,
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