This week has been another historic week in what is quickly becoming the most historic year of our lives, am I right?

The BLM Movement

In the last few weeks, the “Black Lives Matter” movement has become a force to be reckoned with, and rightly so. Some might say 7 years too late, when civil rights organiser, Alicia Garza, coined the phrase after George Zimmerman was acquitted of killing Trayvon Martin. Some might say centuries too late.  The fact of the matter is ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. And maybe the world needed the almost apocalyptic year that is 2020 to see that.  

I was having a conversation with my husband this week about what was going on in the world and how our countrymen were reacting to it.  It was beautiful seeing people standing in solidarity however they could. But then there were the few, the unfortunately LOUD few, who used the events to show their true colours. Pun intended due to the irony. It was something that was necessary though, for us to see things how they really were. I hope that we – and I do mean WE because I would be lying if I said I wasn’t guilty of forgetting things too – continue to make a stand together for justice. For whatever cause it may be. 

When it hits home..

It always perplexes me that racism exists in our beautiful melting pot of a country*. I honestly feel like the majority of our citizens are mixed race. We are a “dougla” nation more than anything. It is something that should be celebrated.  

I have however experienced racism in my romantic relationship. The looks we would get as a young couple, looks that maybe we still get but we don’t notice anymore because it doesn’t matter. Or perhaps the looks go to our lovely daughter, who is a great example of the beauty that can come from our differences. 

But alas, there are still biases, discrimination, stereotyping and the like.  It is disheartening. I understand that many of these things are learned. We have many issues due to our previous colonialistic circumstances. Especially since our “massa” just upped and gave us independence and we had to figure things out from there. Some things we had to copy wholesale from our past “owners”. A major reason why their influence is still so strong. There are many things that we need to learn from each other. We need to start having those conversations, as uncomfortable as they may be. And we need to have them with open minds and understanding hearts. 

“Knowledge isn’t power unless it is practised”

It is each of our duties to seek that knowledge, to understand the plight of our brethren. It’s the only way we can start that change. We need to understand why we are the way we are.

And no, I don’t know all the intricacies and nuances of these issues but I know injustice when I see it. I also see the importance of joining forces to fight for what’s right. It doesn’t mean everyone’s issues don’t matter, it means that we need to fight for the people who are tired fighting alone, fighting yet not getting change. 

Differences are the spice of life

Don’t drown things out by trying to water down the issues or complaining about your own. It’s time to show compassion, to show empathy, to show love. We are way more similar than we are different. But we still need to celebrate our differences. Differences are the spice of life. We can’t enjoy our many holidays and variety of delicacies and not love the people who are the reason behind them. 

As Thomas Merton said, “Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy.”

Let’s dig deep and find that love for our fellow men. Let’s use our voice and platforms to make a difference. Let’s stand for what’s right. Let’s learn from each other and use the opportunities for teachable moments. 

There is hope…

I usually shy away from talking about these things even though it bothers me. I have a lot of thoughts and feelings that I can’t capture in one post. Sometimes the world events can make me feel drained. 

But as I write this, my hope is being renewed. We can make a difference. In fact, a difference is being made. How different depends on us. 

The past may have been dark but we can light a fire in our present so that there is a brighter future. 

*Trinidad and Tobago

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