Where is the Love?

Recently I have felt overwhelmed by the violent events in the media, though I know that as an individual there is very little I can do about it. I've often avoided re-posting stories that have violent content or graphic pictures, constructing a narrative of my own life, more than my opinions on events beyond my control. That changed this week when I saw the viral story of the murder of Philando Castile, a hard working man in a loving relationship going about his evening errands with his girlfriend and her child.

Though I am bi-racial with a black father and a white mother, and am in a relationship with a white man, when I saw this woman, Lavish Reynolds calmy live streaming the horrific murder by police officer of her partner, I thought of myself and the bonds that connect us to one another. I did not see just another unarmed black man being shot dead by a police officer, I saw a woman losing the man she most loved and treasured in her life. There are so many obstacles and challenges to finding healthy loving relationships. I thought about how the bonds of trust and love we forge as individuals can be shattered and torn apart in an instant by an encounter with empowered fear and hate. I could not stop thinking about Philando Castile. He was not criminal with a record, and even if he was, he did not deserve to be executed at a random traffic stop. He had a good job, was well respected, and abided by the second amendment, the right to bear arms with a permit. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, driving while black.

At times like these I really feel helpless to do anything to change society, except to do my part, love my neighbor, my friends, my family, and speak out when I see injustice. Today my boyfriend and I took a walk in the woods in Concord, near Henry David Thoreau's cabin in the woods, and I mused to him that I would just like to remove my mind from the chaos and focus on beauty and nature instead. I understand why some people want to live "off the grid." Would it serve society better if we could each go off into our own little cabins in the woods and pray for humanity, living lives of prayer, sustainable gardening, and quiet contemplation? Unfortunately, or fortunately, the stages of life, infirmity, and old age do not make living in isolation feasible. We need each other's care, attention, and love.

So, while there are no simple answers, the most powerful thing we can do is make a choice within ourselves not to be an agent of evil and hate. Racism is a societal construct, but it has a very real and pernicious power to destroy society. When faced with a choice, look within, and always choose love, even if it is not easiest choice.