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.

“all lives” can’t matter until black lives matter.