I’m writing to let you, my audience, know that I have not done enough here to lift Black voices. It is not acceptable to work quietly behind the scenes on the issue of racism. We have arrived at a point in time where we must make a critical decision. It is a fork in the road and I am finally taking a public stand, something I regret not doing prior.
Lift Black Voices
Now, more than ever is the time to unite and lift Black voices. We have lost far too many souls to institutionalized racism, and not listened nearly enough. I must do better on this.
Black Lives Matter
Right now, we mourn the murders of David McAtee, George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and far too many others. Their deaths are only the most recent in our country’s violent racist history and are a blood-drenched tragedy.
Religious Wife Of Law Enforcement Officer
Along those lines, here is my hero Melissa McCrery, whose video I found via Baratunde. Her husband has been in law enforcement for decades. Like her, I know that all people deserve to be protected by law enforcement in this country, regardless of skin color.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CA05VgSDvw7/
The Black Community Should Not Have To Lead Police Reform
While there are amazing people in the law enforcement community, some walking with Black Lives Matter protestors, there are still too many that do not protect our citizens. In fact, they harm and kill. As McCrery said:
The black community should not have to lead this. Those of us who know we have power must say NO. Not in my country, not on my watch.
Standing Up For Black Lives
But standing up is only the start. I will stay committed to the cause because there is no place for racism in America.
I Do Not Stand For Racism
Elana’s Pantry was founded on the principle that health empowers individuals, and under the assumption that empowered individuals create a more equitable society. This cannot be an assumption any longer. I have not done enough here to clarify my position on the issue. I do not stand for racism.
Your Voice Matters
And your voice matters too. Leave a comment with your thoughts, or let me know about your favorite Black food blogger or health activist.
Darci says
Thank you, Elana, for your courage here. I’ve been following your blog for a decade and some of your low-carb recipes are my favorites. Delighted to see your statement and commitment to lifting black voices now (and onward). It’s time. I’m with ya.
Elana says
Darci, thanks so much for your kind words about my recipes and for your support.
Maria says
Thank you for standing up and using your voice. It’s steady, reasonable and undeniable.
Elana says
Maria, thanks so much.
Johnnie says
I don’t know if this be read or not. Have never done this.
The One who is above and greater than all of this…God, is the One who spoke the first word and the world was created. He is the One who took the dust of the earth and formed man. He then breathed into him and gave him life. It is the same breath that we breathe today, no matter what race or color that we are. If we bleed, it is the same red blood, no matter the color of man. We are all really dependent on Him for the air that we breathe. May we consider how He must feel to see the wonderful people He so lovingly created from His heart destroying each other? We are made with the same care and equally cherished by Him.
Thank you Elana for opening your heart to us
Elana says
Thanks Johnnie.
Sandra says
https://www.facebook.com/realCandaceOwens/videos/273957870461345/
Thought you may want to know who this. Sadly I will also be unfollowing your page as I will not be part of the voices that divide us. We need unity as Americans, not to guilt shame and race bait.
Elana says
Sandra, thanks so much for your comment. Probably for the best as I will be writing more about this.
CHRISTINE PEARCE says
Sandra
I listened to Candace’s statement yesterday about not making George Floyd a martyr. I totally agree with that. But, I think as whites we can unify so that all races begin to be treated equal. I am praying for unity but no longer hiding my head in the sand.
Elana says
Thanks Christine.
Catherine Hoffman says
Just, thank you!
Elana says
Catherine, you’re welcome.
Therese Kay says
I apologize on behalf of other white Americans who are offended by your stance against racism. I say thank you. I’ve followed you for years and won’t stop now. Keep doing the good work you are doing on every front.
Elana says
Thanks so much Therese.
Lee Saunders says
I love ALL people, believe we are all equal, only differences might be what’s in anyone’s heart, on the inside, but never anyone’s outer color! And I always understand and overlook a lot if anyone has suffered poor circumstances of what they’ve been through. I personally went through a lot growing up, as many people have (even though not related to color). No one knows another persons troubles.
We’ve come so far as a country on this racial issue since when I was a young girl decades ago, and many of us have demanded what’s absolutely right for every person to be considered equally in every part of their life! But some of this in the last week with rioting, looting, destruction, at least five police officers having been shot, one in the back of his head fighting for his life right now. It’s hurting the people who are the actual recipients of the destruction and mayhem going on, and it’s hurting many of us to watch this. There are people who are losing their livelihood and businesses to looting and burning that they’d put their sweat and tears into. And neighborhoods decimated, and some even poorer neighborhoods so that poor people have nowhere to go to shop if they have no transportation. I don’t think that riots and physical violence, or crusade via hate, or looting and destruction of businesses, or of monuments and churches, are good for the cause of racism. Why is this woman not speaking out against that?
More than twice as many unarmed white men are killed each year by police than unarmed black men. All of it is wrong, they should go to jail for a very long time. There are bad apple policemen, just as there are bad apples in every other profession, people without empathy and care. I don’t know if this is now just political, and she is subtly suggesting we have a racist in the White House who’s at fault, and she is rallying politically. We are all sick inside watching real time horrors of the worst of the protesters (not the peaceful protesters whom we honor).
Love your wonderful recipes as well as good health advice. Still following…..
Elana says
Lee, thanks for your comment. I agree with you and we both agree with George Floyd’s brother, Terrence, who told the nation to stop rioting.
In terms of death by race, a Black man is 2.5x as likely to be killed by a law enforcement officer as a White man:
https://www.statista.com/chart/21872/map-of-police-violence-against-black-americans/
Right now we stop to deal with the absolute horror of watching a Black man strangled for more than 8 minutes by an officer of the law. We unite against systemic police brutality and the institutionalized misuse of force against Black people. This is hardly political because it has gone on here for 400 years. Thankfully, my eyes are as wide open as they’ve always been, but now my mouth is too. I do not stand for racism.
Anne M. says
Thank you, Elana!
Elana says
Anne, it’s been way too long, hugs to you Amy and all the fam.
Mike Zielonka says
<3 this post.
I love the story behind my favorite BBQ sauce, Stubbs. https://www.stubbsbbq.com/en-us/stubbs-story
Elana says
Mike, thanks so much for your comment, very much appreciate it. I will check out that sauce, my boys are totally into everything BBQ so will share with them too.
Amy says
I came here for a cake recipe for my daughter’s birthday. I didn’t expect to find a statement on racism. Thank you, Elana. I haven’t done enough either. I am, at this moment in time, embarrassed. To be white. To be American. We all need to stand together to make our country what it should be for ALL.
Elana says
Amy, thanks for your comment, my heart skipped a beat when I started reading it, but then I continued and your words brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for being on this healing path with me, we all deserve healing.