Disclaimer: You do NOT have to read this.

I made a decision back in August when the Michael Brown shooting happened to not write about it.  To not post things on social media in regards to this horrible tragedy because I was confused.  Plain and simple, just confused.  It hurt me so much that this was  happening.  On both sides of the spectrum.  For me, I just needed to be silent.  And that is what I did.

And then...this happened.  This really really sucks.  How can this Eric Garner decision come at at a time like this?  There is something really really wrong here.  I cannot go back and watch the Eric Garner (original video) where this man pleads for this officer to let him breathe.  I cannot change this poor decision not only made by this officer but by the grand jury not to indict him.  And I certainly cannot change what is going to happen to our country in the next couple of months.

What I can do is to write...and by writing I can ask all of my friends and family, from whichever point of the spectrum you stand on is to have compassion.  Have compassion for those that are experiencing the pain and sadness that surrounds all those involved in these tragedies.  Have compassion for those who still see that oppression and racism exist in a country we call the "land of the free." Have compassion for those people who have family members themselves who are officers in this country and who see first hand the positive things that come from their duty.  But most importantly we need to just have compassion for each other.

If you have things to say then say them, but hopefully with compassion held tightly deep inside.  As a nation we need to stand up, and make a change, because what we are watching each day is not what we as a nation have worked towards.  If you feel strongly about sides to these events, that is...the events of Ferguson and now Eric Garner, instead of hiding behind a computer go out and do something.  Make a difference.  We need to stay committed to "a movement of racial justice" in whichever way we can.  Let's not lose focus.

Some positive suggestions....

--Reach out to local elected officials about how we can make this better
--Donate to communities to build education programs and to break the patterns we see in areas of poverty
--March, in a peaceful way to justice
--Pray
--Donate to local police
--Teach your children how to love, to see through race, gender, and sexuality
--Talk to your therapist, about how these things affect you
--Don't sit around, thinking, my voice cannot be heard, because it can

This article below really came at a perfect time, where I am struggling with social media and it's content...and inspired me to write this.


Cracked Wide Open Around Race


In summary, we as nation must not forget the most important thing above all, and that is LOVE.  We need to love each other, and treat each other with the same respect each one of us deserves.  Have compassion for your neighbors and as a citizen of the United States of America use your words (or text) to positively affect this country as a whole.  That is correct, as a WHOLE.  All we have is this one life, spend your time, and words, wisely.