Lives of Actual People (Coates)

“…thought it was important to always remember that compromise, whatever its virtue, isn’t an abstract concept. It’s the compromising of the lives of actual people.” Ta-Nehisi Coates tcoates@theatlantic.com

With my grown sons all in the house, I rest easier. I know they are each safe for now. I keep seeing Michael Brown’s mother’s stunned face in the days after she lost him.

I think of bitterness on this day of thanksgiving. As a young girl, I learned about bitterness from my grandmother who had faced many hardships, many losses and hurts. I promised myself not to succumb like she did. Recent times have been a challenge. I have felt powerless in the face of what looks to me like deception and betrayals in my life and in our larger world context.

I saw Michael Brown’s father speaking up — as so many other bereaved parents have done, turning to activist speaking to prevent that kind death happening to more people’s children.

I realized it was the powerlessness underlying the bitterness that had to be addressed. If we notice bitterness creeping into our emotional landscape, it could be an alert to find an action.

So what can we do? In recent posts from African Americans with advice for white allies one thing most ask is that we not withdraw from the conflict, that we speak up, ask questions, engage rather than withdraw from confrontations around race, poverty, oppression.

While we were in our Thanksgiving bubble at home today where timing for a meal took on heavy importance, something is different. People’s lives on this planet, in this society are at greater risk. At the very least, one thing we can do is continue to speak up and work on getting better at it.