“There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.”
These days have me listening, witnessing, and learning. Covered realities are being exposed and resources tapped into. Beautiful words have been prompted. Poisonous words have been divisive. Yet all have poured into this urgent truth over repression, and called out the perspective brought on by individual stories and backgrounds, generations of thought carried steadily through years of hurt and self. As someone cultivating this use of language through writing, and a writer that longs to inspire a new way of thinking, I recognize that to write nothing would be confusing. But to write hastily would be to respond to what is fire in our eyes, where it needs to be fire in our souls. I have much to learn, and there are certainly moments that prompt learning, such as now. The visual fire is needed, but in time the burning will diminish where the threat still lingers.
In my limited view, there is one thought brought on by the wisdom of others and the lack of it elsewhere: Awareness demands action, but action brought on by urgency will only hold its place for so long. Only in relationship will action stick.
For as long as we try to speak out against injustice divided, we will have only catered to a false sense of understanding. Movement forward will soon become replaced by exhausted effort by those who experience this burden in their everyday, and unrealized stagnancy by those who don’t.
So what could I possibly offer in this time, except to say what I have heard, and it will be the truth that I hold onto. Get to know someone’s story. Intentionally tell your story. Let conversation and relationship be the spark that keeps the fire burning in your soul. To fight for someone is to potentially become complacent and distant. To fight with someone is to know their pain.
EXPOSITION: If what we hope for in our politics and systems don’t first reflect our livelihoods and relationships, then I’m afraid we ask for change in vain, even though we ask for it boldly. What do you want to see in our leaders, from government to local businesses to your church, that you need to find first in yourself.
RISE: Start a conversation. Better yet, start a relationship. With someone who looks different, thinks different, is different…. than you. So long as we continue to surround ourselves exclusively with people like us, then we forfeit the possibly to understand and be understood, leaving the truth to be determined by news anchors and social media posts. Although here might be the most difficult part of all: We will have to come to grips with the fact that life is more about advocating for others than it is about being comfortable.
DENOUEMENT: “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
I want to be intentional about not only sharing words, but living in them. As I am also a photographer, I recognize that these sentiments need to apply to my own business, so I have given thought to three ways that I can pursue racial equality in my photography, while also sharing a piece of my story. Head HERE if you’d like to give it a read.