June 2020

Friends, my heart is heavy with the events of this past week: the violence, the riots, the hatred, the bigotry. It's hard to know what to say.

I'm afraid that hate is growing stronger + that we are growing numb to it.

But now is not the time to stay silent, to keep our thoughts and feelings to ourselves. To effect change, we need to start conversations, wrestle with ugly truths, and do the hard work of learning to be better.

It's a choice we make — to love instead of hate, honor instead of assume, stand up for injustice instead of sitting on the sidelines.

So let's sign the petition, voice our convictions, donate to the cause, be an advocate for someone who needs it. Let's love without an agenda, without conditions, without bias. Let's forgive instead of holding a grudge. Let's start the conversation instead of waiting for someone else to speak first.
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To those who have been victimized, to those who are living in fear for your lives and the lives of those you love, know that you do not walk alone. 🖤

This week, like so many others, I’m taking some time to read, learn, and listen to the African-American community and begin the work of change. Here are a few small ways I’m taking action:

• Donating to an African-American cause we care about

• Reading Blindspot: The Hidden Biases of Good People and The Warmth of Other Suns

• Starting conversations about racial injustice with friends and family members

• Learning about African-American composers (especially women) and their contributions to the field (Part 1 of my research is on the blog today)

• Supporting African-American businesses in our community

• Reading articles like this to continue to learn and find ways to fight racial injustice

I recognize that we have a long way to go. I hope that this is just the beginning.

*Disclosure: I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.