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.
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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.
Laura Nugent says
Thank you for this post, Elana. I wholeheartedly support your efforts to be part of the solution and speak up for justice instead of staying quiet. I’m sorry that there are people who are unable to see the unjustice in this country and are not able to see racism where it exists. I hope all of us who have been silent speak up when we hear or see racists sentiments or acts. Again, thank you for speaking up.
Elana says
Laura, thank you so much for speaking up with me!
Marie says
Elana, this is Marie again. Respectfully, you only commented on ONE point; and, I agree with you.
However, you proved my point about people and their thinking: critical thinking vs non-critical thinking. People looking at one aspect of a greater problem vs the many aspects of a greater problem.
Here’s the real problem: Jeremiah 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it.”
It’s from the Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth
Left on our own, if we are honest, when the TRIALS come; we are “Looking out for number 1.” But if we are doing what Christ wants us to do (even in TRIALS), we are trying our best to “Love others like we love ourselves.” I’ve learned in life that, in looking back, this has always been the better route. “Begin with the End in Mind.”
It was an absolute tragedy what happened to Mr. Floyd; no one deserves that because we are ALL worthy and made in the image of God. And justice will be done; here on earth and, MORE IMPORTANTLY, at the Judgment Seat of Christ or at the Great White Throne (yikes!) when we all meet our Maker!
We grieve for the family of Mr. Floyd and their loss. Thankfully, his death is not the epitome of what goes on with every white/black encounter with police officers in America.
I would always tell my students, “It doesn’t matter what color you are: blue, green, brown, black, orange, white, red, you and I are under the authority of the school administration. If you or I don’t like something, then we need to work to make changes for the better.”
And, trust me, I was often in the principal’s office telling him about things that I thought were not in the best interest of the students.
Geez, America, fix the systematic racism or other problems where needed: do something; (something good; don’t riot, hurt or kill innocent people or destroy neighborhoods and community businesses) say something: have the backbone to OBJECTIVELY tell the truth.
Most of us, including me, have never lived in another country with the freedoms like we have in the United States, but I’ve talked to be who have, and God help us all if we ever lose our freedoms.
Seemingly, most riots are in liberal run states (lots of ironies in their leadership: you can gather for the protests, but you can’t gather for church!); thankfully, we can do BOTH now in Texas!
I did see one very peaceful, respectful protest in my city regarding Mr. Floyd, and it made me proud and thankful to live here.
It doesn’t matter what color we are: Black, white; (I am neither); our LIVES matter!
Please pray for our country!
God help this country!
Respectfully,
Marie
Elana says
Marie, hats off to critical thinking, it’s what this blog and my life are built upon. It’s a shame to accuse someone of failing to think critically because they may not share your values and thoughts, but nonetheless a very skillful tool in a disagreement.
Second, I’m Jewish so not much to engage with you on regarding your faith which is respectfully different than mine. I think it’s important when we’re thinking critically and dialoging with others to know with whom we are speaking, in that vein, I share this with you.
Third, just because we are the absolute greatest country on earth, does not make it ok for a policeman to murder a Black man in the street.
Fourth, I stand with Terrance Floyd’s statement on the protests.
Hoping we can all continue to learn from each other.
Best wishes to you and yours,
Elana
Marie says
Elana,
Not surprising that you are focused on one point!
So your conclusion to my comment (for example) about the United States being the “greatest country on the earth” equals: that I think it’s ok for a policeman to murder a Black man in the street. Geeez!
I rest my case.
Respectfully,
Marie
Elana says
Marie, you are correct, I’ve chosen to focus on one point. It would be far more satisfying and truly fun to debate you at length, going through each of the issues you present; if that happened I would be able to not only utilize, but demonstrate, my skills when it comes to critical thinking. However, I’ve consciously decided not to do so. After 400+ years of injustice, I’m choosing to put my focus on one point, and one point only: racial equity.
Karyn says
https://www.facebook.com/112735922758892/posts/573740723325074/
Elana says
Karyn, this video is a distraction. I do not “blame every single problem on the planet” on racism. I stand against racism. It’s quite simple.
Karyn says
Thank you for taking the time to watch my video. I don’t think anyone commenting here disagrees with your stand against racism. I think people are looking at the big picture of where these protest and riots are leading to and what they are ultimately asking for. I don’t know that the country will be a better place for it. I hope I am wrong.
Elana says
Karyn, thanks so much for your comment. Good to know that we both stand in solidarity with the words of George Floyd’s brother regarding this matter.
Leah Vopnford says
Hi Elana, thank you for this post. My son challenged me to learn more and see how I can help so I’m listening, reading and following.
Elana says
Leah, our young people are leading us on this one.
Marie says
Violet, you said some things that the liberal media won’t say.
A critical thinker needs to hear both sides of every story.
As a retired teacher, it makes me sad that students were not taught to think critically. They didn’t have to; the administration pressured teachers to change students’ grades to…..guess what?…the magic number of “70.” The grade that would indicate”passing.” I wouldn’t “bow,” to this deception especially after documenting all I had done to help students succeed and keeping parents informed.
ABC, MSNBC, CBS, MSNBC present a biased point of view which may eventually destroy America if they have their way!
They want power and control! Any way they can get it!
Listen to other news outlets: SOME, not all, on Fox News such as Tucker Carlson, Hannity, Laura Ingram; Blaze TV and American Family Radio (AFR app)for starters.
Listen for a month, then YOU decide who is ctedible!
ALL lives matter to our Creator!
May God help us all!
Elana says
Marie, when I watch a Black man with a knee on his neck for over 8 minutes I know there is only one side to that story. Murder and abuse of power.
Lois says
AMEN
Kathy King says
I second the thought: ALL LIVES MATTER.
And remember the Golden Rule: DO UNTO OTHERS….
Those two ideas would go a long way toward healing our hearts & our nation.
Elana says
Kathy, of course all lives matter, that’s why Black Lives Matter is so important.
Kim says
“The worst enemy that the Negro have is this white man that runs around here drooling at the mouth professing to love Negros, and calling himself a liberal…..Negros think that the white liberal was going to solve our problems. Our problems will never be solved by the white man. The only way that our problem will be solved is when the black man wakes up, clean himself up, stand on his own feet and stop begging the white man, and take immediate steps to do for ourselves…” Malcom X
My guess is you will censor Malcom X
Elana says
Kim, I don’t censor comments because I like to hear a variety of opinions. Sorry that you are not on this healing path with us to stop systemic violence against Black people. I do not stand for racism.
Sue says
Elena sounds like Kim is on that “healing path” as well. Yet it seems to be your way or the highway. Say it ain’t so !!
Elana says
Sue, if it was my way or the highway I wouldn’t publish your comment or any others like it.
Sue says
Well said Kim!
Renee M. says
Elana,
Thank you so much for using your email platform to help bring attention to the ugly racial divide in America! As a Black woman, I applaud your courage and sentiment in helping to forward the cause for racial equality and healing.
If it helps any, there is something inherently empowering and mentally therapeutic when victims are able to take part in leading the reform of their oppressors. I know this as I speak from first-hand experience with racism.
Again, thank you for taking your stand publicly. Your love for your fellow man/woman clearly shines through. I know God is smiling down on you.
Stay the course!
Elana says
Renee, thanks for your comment and for sharing your guidance here. Very much agree and appreciate it!
Lori says
Thanks Elana, for this conversation. I live near Minneapolis/St Paul, and this has affected me personally as my pharmacy was burned down in St. Paul during the George Floyd protests. We have had curfews, and businesses in my town are boarded up—this affects everyone, whether we want to face it or not. It is unconscionable what happened to Mr. Floyd. I pray for the comfort of his family and friends, as well as our whole state and country in mourning. What bothers me most is the continual separation in the media of folks by their color, as if to propagate the division. As two well spoken black men said recently, the amount of melanin in the skin has nothing to do with the sin that is in the heart, because melanin can’t do anything. It was sin in the heart of the officer that led to Floyd’s death, not the fact that the officer was white, or any other color for that matter, because the other officers involved were not all white. The media and well-meaning individuals continue to speak in such a way that puts separation between people and the idea that we are different. We are all one blood, with just differing amounts of melanin in the skin. Sin in the heart is the bottom line. Thanks much for the discussion Elana.
Elana says
Lori, thanks for sharing your perspective here. I agree, it is sins of the heart that are the problem and the systematic sins of a system that perpetrates and perpetuates crimes against Black people. This must change.
Christine says
Thanks for bringing this to a likely all white audience. There is nothing wrong with being white, by the way..we can’t change that! However, if we are of like mind and can not see the injustices, and the systemic racism that exits in our county, then maybe we have to go back to school and learn how this all came to be. There are plenty of books out there. Let’s open our minds and hearts..talk to a black friend…maybe they will trust you enough to be candid. Oh, you don’t know any Afro Americans……? OK…..try broadening your circle of friends and acquaintances, frequent Black owned businesses in your area…you may have to go out of your comfort zone…..but people of color have had to so this most of their lives to SURVIVE.
Elana says
Christine, thanks for sharing all of your great points here.
Rainbow says
Thank you Elana. I know I haven’t done enough. I’ve been quietly reading and learning more and more the last few years. Going to marches etc. But I haven’t felt educated enough or strong enough to engage more directly. I don’t know what it is about this moment. It feels like so many people have reach a breaking point at the same time. Tomorrow I will march. Then I will finally do what I have feared most: do phone bank calls. Crazy as it may seem, that terrifies me. Yet, we need to change who are elected officials are. Black people are facing death, I can put on my big girl pants and make a few damn phone calls.
Btw, I like the podcast The Secret Lives of Black Women.
Elana says
Rainbow, thanks for your comment, so very inspiring. Thanks also for sharing that podcast –will check it out!