Weekend Reading 5.31.20

I had one joyful moment this week watching my teens finish out their school year successfully, that was really nice, but the truth is I’ve had a very heavy heart. Not just from the latest challenges brought on by the coronavirus, but a broken heart felt from the death of George Floyd and our country’s continuing struggle with racism and racial justice. I am sickened and saddened that this keeps happening. We can’t be silent. We can’t look away.

Today what is on my heart is this: I am white and I have no idea what it’s like to grow up and live in America as a person of color. I wish every white person would take a moment to pause and recognize this. It’s an uncomfortable topic for some white people, but it shouldn’t be because our discomfort does not compare to the discomfort our fellow humans of color experience in America every day.

Let’s lean in on the topic instead of turning away, ignoring, or minimizing it. Let’s be better at listening and giving more attention to the voices of people of color and their experience. Let’s pay close attention to this systemic problem and hold space for the collective pain that exists. Let’s educate ourselves about where change needs to happen and how we can help. Let’s be better at honoring generational pain, felt individually and collectively. Let’s draw attention to the violated, the marginalized, and the oppressed. Let’s hear their voices and recognize their cause. The more we listen, the more we learn. Let us see every person as a human being so we can treat each other with love and respect. Let us all learn, and grow, and become part of the change for our children, for humanity, for justice, for harmony.

As I regularly share, here are some inspiring design and travel related articles I found on the internet.