It was extraordinarily difficult to watch the murder on TV of Mr. George Floyd, at first overcome with sheer horror, then denial, fear and later – shame, grief. I am an educated woman, I read a lot, well-traveled. I have known for years and years of the systemic racism that exists in this country; at hospitals and schools, in workplaces, the justice system, socially and most obviously, in law enforcement. I went with denial. I will no longer kill with my silence. First, therefore, I say to every Black American, I am sorry. As a white person, I played a part in George’s death and every one before that. I am deeply sorry.
On behalf of my company, I am quoting from my friend Gail Foland, inserting my small business name for hers. She posted a similar statement for Krav Maga in San Francisco:
We at BALANCE Organizing Services stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the peaceful protesters on the streets fighting for equality. We are a country of immigrants, our diversity is our power; our uniqueness and our unity is our strength. We will fight for equality.
“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference “
— Nelson Mandela —
And finally, a little of my personal manifesto:
We are at the beginning of a new world. This will not be easy, prepare for more “worse”. Yet the great news is we have fresh clarity on what is broken. About the way we are living, the way we are governing and providing for, and protecting and treating each other. It’s not working. Whatever you believe about the origins of Covid-19, it’s difficult to argue with the possibility that the very planet itself finds us intolerable. In any case, it’s a message that things are broken. An able President for this country matters. Of course it does. But it is only the beginning of a road towards a new world of equanimity, community and leading with love, not aggression.