The pandemic continues and social upheaval reigns at the moment. I was heartsick at watching another unarmed person of color being killed by police over a possible minor infraction. I am emotionally exhausted from the willful blindness I see around me; the blindness I have unwittingly sought myself at times. Even though I don't consider myself a racist, I have never been a racial minority in my community. I have however, experienced sexual harrassment and discrimination. I understand it's not the same thing, but I feel like the two are related and can help me to understand some of the rage and frustration currently being expressed in the streets.
I have been listening to more black voices the last few days than usual and Kareem Abdul Jabbar made a very good analogy about racism. He said it's like dust. It's in the air all around us, we just don't see it until a light is shining on it. You can then see the dust motes floating in the beam of light. I have many friends, former co-workers, and acquaintances who hold different viewpoints from me. I have sort-of been giving them a free pass on sexual and racial discrimination- no more. I don't always let sexual discrimination slide, perhaps because I have been directly affected by it. Beginning now I will be calling out racial discrimination too.
Just today I was sent a "joke" by a former fire captain I worked with. It basically laments people labeling him as homophobic, racist, etc for upholding his moral values. I call BS! Usually I just delete and move on. This time I will share my feelings with the sender. I believe we can uphold our personal moral values without sitting in judgment of others. If you claim to follow Christ, he loved, cared for, and died for everyone's sins. The final judgment does not sit on any mortal person's shoulders.
I am a member of a fairly conservative church. I have been appalled at some of the hateful images and comments shared by some of my fellow members. I need to remind myself that my church membership is about my relationship with my Heavenly Father and is not defined by other members actions or words. Many of these people don't even understand why what they are posting is so abhorrent. I understand people are a product of their times but, the past is gone and it is time to do better and be better. Our prophet has spoken out strongly against the sin of racism; even if our church history may not be great on the subject.
Off my soapbox and on to other stuff. . .
BC has been fortunate to keep the COVID numbers fairly low and we're loosening some of the restrictions now. Schools are in and businesses are opening up. All of this is with heavily modified schedules, procedures, and routines. I think masks may become more common in public spaces. Vancouver Island has really been fortunate with no large outbreaks.
Kaili has returned to her home in Courtenay. Ellie is now living in Nanaimo and working on Gabe.
I have been trying to help myself out of my dark moods by painting our fence, gardening or sewing. Each fence section has a different theme, poem, quote or etc. This is what I have so far.
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| Eye spy in progress |
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| Tree-woman/Lord Byron poem |
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| Hetch Hetchy Valley/John Muir Quote |
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| Girls at the beach |
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| How Everything Happens By May Swenson |
Our veggie garden is already providing greens, peas, and strawberries. I finally got smart and moved the strawberry plants out of harm's way (Madrone likes to eat blossoms).
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| May 21 |
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| Today |
Our weather has been showers and occasional sun breaks- good for the fire danger, water table, and the mosquitoes, but not my moods.
To borrow Dr. Bonnie Henry's mantra- "Be kind, be calm, and stay safe"
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