This was to be a post about summer dresses, but I just feel like I would be writing from within a bubble if I did not address what is going on in our country now. I am heartbroken by what happened this week to George Floyd , then the death of Ahmaud Arbery on his run, and the harassing of birdwatcher Christian Cooper. It’s brought front and center the issues of hate in our nation, police brutality and white supremacy. This can’t be forgotten next week.
The only way we are going to begin to heal this country is to let people of color know we have their backs and are willing to march with them, demonstrate and stand up to the police brutality and inequity in this country. When the message from the top is inciting more violence, not unifying or healing, Americans themselves need to come together to show we care, we are here and that WE will demand change for our nation ourselves.
We have to be angry about this. This is OUR country and this is what we are now. Silence is the same as not caring. I don’t condone looting, but I do support the marching in the streets. People are out in the street because they feel they have no voice, no power and no hope.
People need to wake up to the fact that life as we know it in America is changing. Racism is out in the open more than ever and nearly condoned since Trump took office. Unless we all get active and involved, OUR nation is headed for worse.
Is this us? Don’t be in denial, it is. We are no longer the ”Home of the Free’, admired by the world. We have sunk so very low. Just because we ourselves are not doing racist things, does not mean that are not part of the problem.
We need to voice how we feel about this. Do not be afraid to say this is unacceptable. Every one of us needs to use their own platform whether it be your Instagram, a sign on your house, your car, a group text, friend emails, anything, everything, but something. If we remain silent, if we go past this, turn the channel, bury our heads and distract ourselves, the more we are a piece of the whole systematic failure of America. Racists feel okay to be out with their feelings and actions because most of of us do nothing. We choose not to pay attention to things that don’t affect us personally, but they affect our country as a whole.
One good of technology is the ability to hold those accountable for their actions and also shame them in the court of public opinion. We can also share what is wrong and what needs to change and support others.. If you love this country, say something, share something, speak out and most importantly, vote out the people who tolerate racism, beginning with the president.
More thoughts on racism and being anti-racist on Cup of Joe this week.
Thank you for listening and for being here. I love to hear your voice and thoughts below on how we can come together and heal this country and make a better nation for Americans of color and for all of us.
Kim
The quote by Benjamin Franklin says it all…your words made me cry..I am almost 72 years old and I have never seen such division, polarity, intolerance and hate in this country as I have in the last 4 years. Thank you for not being afraid to share you voice on social media to express what so many are feeling. Silence is not the answer!
Linda (steep_learning_curve)
Linda, Thank you so much. It means a lot. I hesitated before publishing, but I hope it was the right thing to do. We need it now. I hate the state things are right now and I want us to fix this country.
YOU KNOW HOW I FEEL AS WE CHAT OFTEN!
THE ORANGE BOMB MUST GO……………..he is a CHILD at the HELM!HE IS AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ALL OF US!THE ITALIAN PEOPLE KEEP ASKING MY HUSBAND THE REAL ITALIAN WHY?EUROPE IS APPALLED WITH HIM!
DID he even condone the NECK HOLD on Mr. LIOYD, OUR PRESIDENT IN CHIEF?ALL I saw that he said was,” THUGS and HE will send in NATIONAL GUARD TO START SHOOTING”!THAT COMING FROM A 70 YEAR OLD PLUS MAN AS PRESIDENT WHO WOULD NOT ALLOW HIS COLLEGE GRADES TO BE VIEWED is just NOT RIGHT!( TO me the grades would have been a tell ALL!)
HE IS HILTER ALL OVER AGAIN!!!
HIS LACK OF SPEAKING SKILLS PUTS HIM AT AN ALL TIME LOW OF PRESIDENTS BEFORE HIM!
THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE PROTECTED HIM IN OFFICE ARE AS MUCH TO BLAME AS HE IS………….
I CANT STAND THE MAN AND I WILL VOTE BY MAIL!!!!!!!!!
AS I HAVE DONE MY ENTIRE LIFE AS A REPUBLICAN WHO IS NOW A DEMOCRAT BECAUSE OF HIM!!!!
MANNERS, SMARTS,ENGAGING,BOOST MORAL during this PANDEMIC………….NOT ANY OF THAT WAS DONE OR IS BEING DONE!!!!!!!
I CAN’t WAIT FOR NOVEMBER!!!!!!!!!
BRING IT ON!!
I”M MAD and TOTALLY WITH YOU KIM!
I’ve GOT MY MARCHING BOOTS READY!!!!!!!!
XOXOXOXO
XOXOXOXO
Thank you Elizabeth for the support of this post. You and I agree on all of this and change has to start from the top, taking accountability and bringing us together. Sadly that’s not in his wheel house EVEN in this disaster he cannot console is. November cannot come soon enough.
Elizabeth, I was a Republican too before Trump was elected but I consider myself a Democrat now. (still need to officially change my party) I agree he acts like a 5 year old! Spends more time on Twitter than running this country …I can’t wait until November either!
Linda
YOU can do it at THE DMV!But I think only if your license needs renewing!NOT SURE!
I AGREE WITH YOU………LETS START COUNTING THE DAYS!!!!
XX
Thank you! I still need to go to the DMV to get my Real ID. I will inquire! :o) And yes I am counting. Sadly most of my close friends and my daughter & SIL all voted for Trump. I was in SHOCK! My neighbors next door just moved. They had Trump signs all over their yard even after the election was over. I wanted to pull them out of the ground and stomp on them! But most of my neighbors that I know personally are Democrats.
It’s hard to know what to do or say … I no longer recognize our country. Every day we seem to sink lower. Before Trump’s election I didn’t believe our country could be torn apart and so rapidly. Nor did I realize that racism and hate ran so deep … or that people would feel emboldened to express it outwardly and without shame. As a privileged white woman, living in a progressive state, county, town … I feel afraid of the police and of our government. I cannot imagine what our minority citizens must feel. Who are these people … who have no heart or soul. Who callously betray the values and institutions of our country with impunity. I fear the upcoming election regardless the outcome. Will Trump leave office? What if he refuses to accept the outcome and does not leave? Will our GOP senators defend the peaceful transition of power? Will the supreme court enforce the law? Will our military defend the constitution? I don’t know and I’m scared. Civil and respectful discussion of differing views seems a quaint and old fashioned notion. Of course, racism is not a political view … and while it’s incumbent upon each of us to stand up for the dignity and the rights of our African American citizens (all minority citizens), I don’t know how we overcome the deeply held hatred and cruelty residing in the hearts of a large swath of our population.
On a different but connected subject, I just saw the Netflix documentary on Jeffrey Epstein. I came away further discouraged about the state of our country. How do we allow the wealthy to escape the consequences of their actions? And, how do we look the other way while our elected officials … from local to national levels … conspire to protect them while betraying the most vulnerable among us?
These are dark days indeed.
Juliet you express so well everything I am feeling and fearing now. I just cannot believe how many people have come out of the woodwork in this country that are openly racist. It shocks me to my core and seeing the police behave this way not only frightens me, but my sons. How do you teach your family to respect authority when those in power are in the wrong? Everything we were brought up to believe about this country is wrong right now. These are dark days and when we fear the election could be compromised, it’s really scary. The Epstein thing sounds awful. The man got away with SO much because he was rich and white. And a black man is killed for almost nothing. Why can’t we see the horrible injustice in our country? We need to keep speaking out and demanding until we have change. Thank you Juliet.
Kim, I haven’t commented in a long time. My daughter and son-in-law are in law enforcement, although there are some bad apples out there that is not the majority of policemen and deputies. I fear for their safety right now, somewhat thankful that they work in facilities and are not on the street. But there are still risks on the job…my daughter recently came to the aid of her partners to tackle an unruly inmate. My daughter had a decent sized chunk of her hair pulled out and also sustained a fractured hand.
My community of La Mesa was attacked by rioters and looters (including 2 banks burned to the ground) last week because of the recent events, in addition to an incident at a trolley station in La Mesa. There was a video that surfaced of an interaction between a white officer and young black man. (late teens, early 20’s) People are screaming police brutality. The black man was refusing to listen to the officer when told to sit down, he got in his face, was hurling obscenities, completely disrespected him. In addition his white friends were cussing at the officer. Ultimately the man was arrested for assault on an officer. (verbal assault perhaps?) The body cam near the end shows the officer calmly walking the man to his patrol car and told him it would be a misdemeanor offense and that if he had acted “normal” he probably would not be in custody.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Linda
Oh and in no way am I downplaying what happened to George Floyd or the others…just sickening to watch and it breaks my heart. Something needs to change. Getting Trump out of office would be a great start!
Thank you Linda. ❤️
Linda I’m so sorry to hear about your daughter and I think it’s good also to hear your story.I know there’s a lot of really good police out there and these bad ones really hurt the name of the good. For sure we have a lot of issues we have to tackle so it’s not a simple answer. I’m so sorry to hear about your community that sounds awful.For sure we need change. Thank you again for commenting here and giving us another perspective. Thinking of your family.
Thank you!!
Thank you Kathie!
Thank you for using your blog to address racism. I enjoy style blogs but am honestly having trouble reading ones that do not even mention what’s going on and express our pain and outrage! These are spaces that can reach folks and I’m grateful you made the decision to step up!
Thank you Mary! Blogs are a good place to bring up what we can do and also say let’s break from the pretty images for a time and let’s look at what is happening in this world right now. As a group of like minded individuals we can gather ideas to support change in this nation for those who are hurting.
I loved the photo taken yesterday in Louisville, Kentucky of white women forming a chain between the police and protesters It’s time. We can’t be silent any longer. As you say, we must use our platforms. What’s the point of building an audience if we are not honest about what moves us, defeats our spirit, or makes us want to scream in anger.
Mithra thank you! That was something I will look for. I missed that. Many good people right now in all this too. More good than bad in this country and our voices have to drown out the hate.
Hi Kim … I totally agree with all you’ve said and greatly admire you for writing this and pressing the post button …
Not being American, I debated about commenting but being silent and ignoring incidents like this, wherever they happen in the world, just doesn’t seem right. Even if all I can do is express my anger, frustration and sadness and show support.
I read about the death of George Floyd before it became international news and the first thing that horrified me was that the Police Officer had his knee on George Floyds neck … I simply could not comprehend this method of restraint. Then I read in the NY Times that this method of restraining a detainee is actually in the Minneapolis Police Handbook, detailing how to use this method without restricting the airway. I understand that it isn’t taught anymore in police training but apparently remains in the handbook… I’m sure those, more knowledgeable than I am, will find a way to justify this, but I struggle to imagine an incident when this is necessary, especially when there is only one detainee and multiple Police Officers …
As you said, how can you teach your family to respect authority when those in power are in the wrong.
Such sad times … but hopefully this will be a turning point and things will change …
Thank you so much for the post and comments. I feel so strongly as you do and needed to read and hear from like minds. We all need to use our voices and platforms and vote Trump and all his enablers out! This won’t change
by hoping it will, we need to act if we want to save our country.
Thanks so much Char . We have to do this for our country and those who are hurting now. I appreciate your note!
Rosemary thank you I just felt I had to do something! I cannot bear to see all the pain now. We Americans appreciate the support and people in the U.K. have been especially great! I know they love us and what America used to stand for. I agree how could any police officer do this when he wasn’t even in danger?? SO WRONG! I am thinking we must be at some juncture here.. Our country is at it’s breaking point. xo
We need to speak louder than those racists who are empowered by this administration. We need to show more compassion to the sufferings of our neighbors. . As an asian american who has seen the works of a dictatorship leader, this is exactly how it started. Spreading fear, misinformation and questioning the press. We need to wake up!! We are better than this. This cannot be normal.
Vivian thank you so right! Trump is using all those tactics and it’s working. We have to take back our country. We are better than this and I know how many good people are out there and will stand for those who have no voice now.
I’m also feeling so sad and scared Kim, and I want to thank you for your post. The comments are so good too. Clearly we all feel the same way and change has to happen somehow. It seems so complicated because your leaders aren’t leading the people to peace and problem solving but rather leading the people on to more violence and hate. I love the USA and I’m heartbroken over the state of things, and the pain that so many Americans live with every day because of the colour of their skin. I read the NYT interview with Christian Cooper this morning, what a wonderful man. Brought me to tears. Thank you Kim XXX
Dani thank you. I am envious of your Trudeau who seems to know how to speak to people and bring people together. Yes this is America right now- people of color do not have the same experience as whites and it is our place to demand this change. I also read Christian Cooper’s interview. How he still has empathy for the woman shows what a good man he is. She knew how to work our systematic profiling to threaten him- ugh just so awful to see. Thank God for phone cameras or who knows where he would be? SO awful. xoxo
Racism is on the rise everywhere and the world is becoming a fearful place. I have not been following what’s going on as I got tired of all the fake news and hysteria surrounding COVID 19, so I don’t feel qualified to say much. However, in a few days’ time, here in Europe we will commemorate D-day and everyone will repeat ‘never again’ and ‘The deaths of so many must not have been in vain’.
And yet, I look around me, at the world in general, and realise we have learnt nothing. It saddens me and I am ashamed to say that I am not doing very much about it.
I know I also get overwhelmed by the news also as it’s been toxic. This though is something too heinous to ignore and accept and I feel like the whole world is shaking their heads at us in disappointment. D-Day is one of those days that makes me think what lucky people we are to be here, it could have been so different without all those who sacrificed. That we are still treating some Americans as less than equal makes a mockery of our so called freedoms this country stands for and so many fought for. Let’s hope this is a blip on the arc of history and we can right our trajectory back toward the path we were working toward. We can’t keep going backwards. xx
Hi there Kim
Good post.
I’m a Canadian and totally appalled and upset as to the current situation in the USA. To see an officer not respond appropriately to a man’s plea that he can’t breathe showed a complete lack of compassion. What did that officer not understand in George Floyd’s plea. What satisfaction was he getting by continuing to apply pressure. He had absolutely no respect for George Floyd. His fellow officers also had no compassion/respect and absolutely no common sense as they did not step in and tell him to release the pressure. The police training needs to include respect and compassion and listening.
I was happy to read his wife has filed for divorce!
Racism against Asians is on the rise here where I live which too is most unfortunate/upsetting.
Trump – I can’t believe what comes out of his mouth at times. He needs to speak up that racism and police brutality will not be tolerated.
Dear Rosemarie, You are right this should not ever be done by police. The disturbing thing was the fellow officers just allowing it. How did they all when bystanders were calling for them to stop? It’s just one of so many wrongs done to people of color by law enforcement in this country. Everything needs reform and I would have like to hear SOMETHING- Anything from Trump, but what he did say was more divisive and threatening… I am sorry to hear Asians are targeted there. I know they are here also. We need all of us to speak up to drive out the hate, and make those who express racist sentiments ashamed and embarrassed at the least.Right now they feel emboldened. It seems those supporting the president are almost brainwashed. We need a whole changeover in America and this pandemic along with it all has created perfect which has played bare our weaknesses and lack of caring and leadership! xo
Thank you for your thoughtful remarks. These words are necessary for movement in the right direction.
Thanks so much!
Kim, I see you in Whole Foods on occasionally, and have enjoyed your blog over the years, but this will be the first time I have ever commented.
This is your best blog post ever in my humble opinion. Frequently in Los Gatos I feel like I am the odd man out and it makes me so happy that there is someone who feels as I do on such an important issue. Next time I see you in Whole Foods I definitely will say hello.
Thank you for this post.
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Miranda St John Valiente
Really? Gwendolyn so kind of you! Thank you so much for the note it means everything right now. Glad to know there are others who feel the same here. People are too afraid to voice their opinions, too PC, but right now it’s what we have to do. We can’t make a better world by being quiet about this. Please say hi if you see me! Hugs.
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for posting this. It was probably scary to do so, but your words are needed during this horrific time. Cruelty and lack of compassion for our fellow humans is becoming normalized by our so called leaders. People who stayed underground with their racist, hateful views have become emboldened to spread their vicious thoughts, lies and behavior by following the “leader”.
My husband and I too, worry for the election and results that might not be honored by those in office right now. What astounds me is how many so called educated people don’t see the hatred, racism, sexism, lies, and just plain stupidity in the White House as bad things. They laugh it all off or ignore it, because their bank accounts have become bigger during this administration. And why people traditionally marginalized by society: suffering poverty, illness, ignorance, often take the side of the righteous right. They are the last people who are being helped by the current administration. Perhaps they feel some sense of power by oppressing those they deem weaker than themselves (immigrants, African Americans)? The absence of human kindness and compassion is astounding.
But, I still cling to my belief that things will be better. I think we as a nation are turning a corner, and that good will prevail in the end. Am I a foolish optimist or just a fool?
XO Heidi
Heidi I agonized about posting this so thank you SO much for saying that. I agree way too many people have looked the other way to things this administration has done because they aren’t personally affected or their stocks are doing fine. So Sad for our country. I also do not understand the appeal of this man to anyone.. Power and hate as you say may have something to do with it and people’s insecurities. Heidi I am like you and I keep hoping that we have to hit rock bottom to turn the tide. If nothing else this has woken EVERYONE up to politics and what is going on. I hope most people will care about creating a better nation for us all and want to be on the right side of history. xo
Hi Kim, I’m not surprised to see you comment on what’s been happening, it’s not the first time that you have written about a serious topic, and you do it so well. I’ve been watching and reading so much over the last few days, and it has been heartbreaking, but there is a lot to learn. I only hope that this time the protests will lead to real change, because these things keep happening over and over and it’s indefensible.
Patricia, Thank you always for the kind comments. I am with you.. a lot of us are getting schooled on racism and what it means to so many in America. Its been something we needed to know and hopefully all will work to change now! I hope George’s sad death was not in vain.
It’s heartbreaking. I agree that we cannot stay silent. We must be active and vocal to show our support. I am actively researching to educate myself more and be aware of the best ways to daily advocate and be an ally. – to recognize and acknowledge the privilege that I’ve had due to the color of my skin. We must use our voices and donate (if able). And of course – VOTE!! Thanks for sharing this & I’m with you!
Hi Lori, You are awesome. If only everyone could do this.. I also am trying to learn more about being anti-racist and to be an ally.. VOTING! The biggest power we all have.. We need to share the link to voting registration to everyone. xo
Thank you, Kim, for your brave words. There are times when fashion and decor must be relegated to the Frivolous column, and you recognized that. I enjoy your writing on ALL topics. And the comments were beautiful and heartfelt as well. We have much work to do in this nation. Our original sin of slavery is a wound that has never healed, and never will, until we accept the debt we owe those that have been wronged by our silence and our willful ignorance.
Sarah thank you for your support- and kind words. You are so right. I believe our nation is forever hurt by our past of slavery and we still have so much work to do..
I get the grief, I get the pain, the anger & overwhelming frustration -I get it all! I get the need for brother/sisterhood during this time as it’s what ultimately brings us all together. Our right to protest is inalienable & I applaud those who have used that right to express themselves (like you, that support ends at the looting). However, for all our talk & outrage, racism still exists & will always exist on an individual level. The key to getting beyond this is to eliminate it in our everyday systems so there is no room for an individual to enforce their own brand of it onto others. We need to close those loopholes so the only place you can be a racist is your own living room.
Tina, Wow so right. Beyond fixing our systemic racism, I agree we need to realize this is something some people will always be, but we have to shame those who are and not tolerate it in any way. The sad part about the living room racists is they have found like minded individuals on the internet that stoke their hate.. White supremacy has flourished since the rise of the internet and private groups. We have to root out that problem also I think. I believe there should be censorship on hate especially on Twitter and Facebook, but there are private groups that keep perpetuating it. Like you said, all we can do is as a society make it unacceptable and heinous..
Thank you, Kim, for using your blogging platform to speak out about the prevalence of social injustice. It is an inspirational post which will hopefully encourage us to take action as anti-racists. It is not okay to be passive, living in a bubble of privledged life, and ignoring what is happening around us. There are many ways each of us can take action.
Thank you Leigh!
Hi Kim
I am so saddened by what is happening in our beloved country right now. I share your pain, it is deeply troubling. I admire you for your willingness to share your feelings on your blog and you did so in a very thought-provoking manner. Our system needs to change, and we all hold responsibility for the status quo. I am a bit of a news junkie, but I can’t stand to watch right now. I almost didn’t send out my post today but went ahead.
Thanks Cindy. Why were you afraid to post? Did you mention your sadness about what has happened this week? Thank you for caring and sharing with everyone. xo
I’m so with you Kim. This took guts and you have it. To be honest I don’t know how I can help other than voting. Who is fomenting this violence? Bottom line. Keep on standing up for what you believe in. There are enough of us to support, pros and admire you!!!!
Sandra gosh thank you. Voting is the most important thing this year. Your words and support are enough. Thanks for caring about this. The more we share the more vocal we are, we can change this nation. xo
Thank you so much , Kim. You write eloquently and express so many of the same fears and concerns as I have. Your readers’ comments are equally thoughtful and heartfelt. I don’t recognize the country I was born in, or most likely it was always like this and I just didn’t realize it. I do think Trump and his allies have aggressively stoked the divisions in our society. Thank you again. Beth
Beth thank you very much. I say the same as you and honestly always believed America was the home of equality and it turns out, not so much, especially for people of color. Trump has created so much more division it’s horrible. This could have been an opportunity to bring us together, and to try and heal, but he has instead torn us further apart. We are really at a terrible time with the pandemic too and he has chosen to hide out and point the blame at anyone and everyone, but himself. He has caused more hurt and anger.
Thank you for sharing. I must say that when we speak so negatively about our President, we lose our right to speak against bullying, mean speech, or anything else bad happening around u, because we are doing the same. As a Democrat, I know this resist culture has assisted in giving people anxiety and allowing them to think anger and revenge are the only tools we can use. Let us be better examples to our children. Let us research for ourselves what news or stories are real, let us ask our black citizens in the administration or other people of color who vote Republican, for their reasons instead of instantly loathing them. I am embarrassed by our party for having little or nothing positive to say, nothing to give to people but trash talk. You get better results with honey, NOT vinegar. Soul searching is needed.
Tina I would refer you right back to the president who has been the bullier in chief. You are also suggesting that in America you cannot criticize our president. This is not Russia and it’s our fundamental right to disagree. I hear you say negative things are not helpful, so then how does positive work now? What is a nation to do when we are hurting, a huge group of our citizens are not being heard or treated fairly, killed for petty crimes, and the administration, the Republican party and the president have offered NO words of comfort, no way for us to come together and fix this systemic racism. And how is honey right now going to solve the issues at hand? Should I start with how wonderful the president is? How he has made America great.. then go for constructive ideas? Please tell me how that works. And news sources? This is direct observation of how George Floyd died. There is no ‘news source’ to debate about.
Well said Kim! And this evening we saw for ourselves on live tv as the president had a group of peaceful protesters moved out of the way with tear gas so that he could have a clear path to walk to church (a church he hadn’t been in for over a year, according to the pastor). Once there, he stood outside and waved a bible (asked by a reporter “Is that your bible?” he replied “It’s *a* bible” – at least he didn’t lie that time) for the cameras, then walked back to the White House. The bishop of the diocese was outraged that her church had been used as a prop. All of this happening in real time for us to see and hear. The ship has sailed on giving this guy (and those who support him) the benefit of the doubt.
Patricia can you even believe it? What a stunt and to tear gas people out of the way so he could pose with a prop bible.. He is grasping at straws. Still those brainwashed in his cult may buy it. You are so right, no benefit of the doubt for him anymore. Those who didn’t want to say anything negative before about him just look like fools now for supporting this man in any way. He as president has given no support, love or encouragement to this hurting community or words of condolences!! BEYOND HORRIBLE!!
Kim, I need to say one more thing. As someone who is not American, does not live in the US, I crave reminders that not all Americans support Trump, that there are people in the US who are as horrified as the rest of the world is at what has been happening in your country. There’s no need for you to second guess or agonize over posting your thoughts on your blog, please keep on showing the best of America.
Patricia this is so good to know! Yes I hope our friends around the globe know more Americans are horrified than support this man! It is great to know you all support those of us who are are despairing here. Yesterday the demonstrations in Amsterdam, London, Italy and so many other places lifted me up! We are not alone and I think the world wants America to try to live up to the human rights values it used to represent. Good to know the world wants him gone too..Thank you dear Patricia xoxo
Dear Kim,
I started reading your wonderful blog when I lived in Silicon Valley, moved back to East Coast in 2016. Before moving to Norcal in 2004 I lived in NC for 8 yrs. I know this may come as a shock but I although I loved living in the Bay Area, I think it’s the most prejudiced place I ever lived in. Lots of entitled not very friendly people living in the fast lane there. Neighbors are not friendly there, at least not like they were in Honolulu where I grew up. It was disturbing to watch how people of Mexican heritage are looked down upon there – Santa Clara County is 98% Hispanic. And I don’t believe people of African American heritage are treated very well there either, even when they have been educated at Stanford. Battling racism starts in your own backyard. I sure wish I had neighbors like you when I lived there. They’re very lucky to have you. Best Wishes and Much ALoha!
Dear Leona, Sorry for the delay in your kind comment. Somehow, I missed this earlier. I think you point out some very valid points about the Bay Area. I grew up here and it has become increasingly more diverse and wealthy thanks to Silicon Valley. I personally was thrilled that my sons went to school with people of many nationalities and colors, but I have been though made aware especially the last few years that not everyone in my own town and beyond feels that way sadly. I know still people have experienced racism at our own high school and in town, which saddens me. Also many aren’t really interested in hearing about it and if we all don’t see this as a problem, it won’t get better. This movement has been about black lives, but I personally know Asian and Mexican friends who have been treated badly too. Entitlement is an issue. These attitudes are developed at home- how you speak of others, and treat them is what your children do too. I just really hope Leona people open their hearts with all the stories we are hearing. We need big change and I think the next generation is going to make it happen. I know they are much more educated and open minded than the previous ones. Hugs to you and thanks for the comment.
Totally agree with you Kim. A very sad state of affairs for our country which has shown injustice to many different cultures and races. For tooo long. We must vote out the dictator in the White House in November. We can do this and support the peaceful protestors. You have always been outspoken and I appreciate your honesty. Equality for all.
Sheila, I do think we are at possibly the lowest point our country has ever been in. It is sad we have been okay with many people being treated unfairly, not just blacks. There has been a rise in hate crimes against Asians lately too and Hispanics. We really need healing and I do think that will begin when we get someone as president who cares about more than himself and truly loves this nation and what it stands for. Thank you for the support Sheila!! xo