Five Minute Friday: "How?"

⌚

How can I define "normal" anymore?  Quarantine rules sent me (a perfectly healthy human, by the way) into federal, state, city, and employment mandated solitary confinement. My psyche got a good old fashioned Southern ass whupping  Now that things have eased slightly in Colorado and we can get out a little more (with a face covering of course), people seem much less tense and afraid (although they're STILL hoarding toilet paper and paper towels-- y'all stop!).

Now, we have the racial tension and chaos going on all over the United States and I feel like I have a big target on my back.  I feel like I did as a kid when the teacher made kids play with me who didn't want to.  It didn't spark acceptance and love; it bred resentment that lasted pretty much until graduation.  Just as I was getting used to the idea of leaving the house more than once a week, I, as a black person have become a problem, and I'm back to not wanting to leave the house.  Now, understand, it's not because I'm afraid for me.  The places I frequent have lovely people and I'm totally safe.  I'm afraid for my Caucasian brothers and sisters.  I don't want them to fear that I assume them racist simply because they are white.  I don't want them walking on eggshells around me--afraid they will say to do something wrong.  They haven't before and they won't now.

I've had a couple of friends ask me if they needed to do anything in light of what's going on right now.  Here's my answer and I would advise everyone to do the same.  Just keep loving people no matter what color they are.  You can love someone without agreeing with everything they do or believe.  Just keep doing that!

⏰