pause: a week to reflect
My heart is really heavy.
I have been privileged to avoid painful conversations about race.
I have been privileged to go on with my life while others can’t.
I have been privileged to grow up trusting the police as a whole, being friends/family with law enforcement officers, and knowing that law enforcement is there to protect me.
I have been privileged to have no fear when the cops arrive.
I feel safe when a cop car pulls up behind me. Of course I instantly check my speed—but I have no fear around having my plate run, being pulled over for a traffic violation, or driving around late at night.
Now I recognize this is a privilege.
This is not everyone’s reality.
I don’t know why I am realizing this now.
Maybe it’s the year plus of intensive therapy following my accident that has helped me to become more self-reflective.
Maybe it’s the thousands of difficult conversations I’ve had to have since my brain injury.
Maybe it’s because I can’t get the image of George Floyd being murdered out of my mind.
whatever the reason, now I see. here is what I plan to do.
I am taking a week away from posting in order to learn.
I am taking a week away from posting in order to reflect.
I am taking a week away from posting in order to share my platform with the people who don’t have my privileges.
I invite you to learn, reflect, and share with me.
i am not hiding from the discomfort any more.
Not when the color of others skin keeps them at risk for harm.