How to help #Baltimore

I keep hearing/seeing phrases like “black lives matter” and “racial reconciliation.” I’m sick of them. They are just creating more divisions. I’ll be the first to admit that racism is alive and well, but the problems in Baltimore (or any where else for that matter) are not just about race.

Last I checked, ALL lives matter and we could use reconciliation across more lines than just race.

As someone raised as a suburbanite, now living in rural Maryland, and owning a business in the heart of the city, I get to see a lot of “sides.” Honestly, I see prejudice and division EVERYWHERE. Have you ever heard the I-95 corridor talk about the I-83 corridor and visa versa?

Let’s get some things straight.

Not all urbanites shop at Whole Foods.

Not all trauma is acute.

Not all homeschooling families are unsocialized.

Not all Asians love math.

Not all homeless people are deadbeats.

Not all young black males are thugs.

Not all police are heroes, but not all police are brutal.

Those are just a couple places to start.

Generalizations just create more divisions and are not helping.

I’ve received multiple messages and phone calls asking,

“What can I do to help?”

The answers aren’t what people want to hear because they’re not easy.

First, start intentionally diversifying your life. Be in relationship with people outside of your natural, comfortable demographic.

Make friends with people older than you and younger than you.

Make friends with people in the city and out of the city.

Make friends with people in a different social class than you.

Make friends with people who are many different colors from many different cultures.

Make friends with people who have a different parenting philosophy than you.

Make friends with people of various faith backgrounds.

Then, set aside your prejudices and actually listen.

It’s in relationship, my friends, where you will find the answer to the question,

“What can I do to help?”

There are no easy fixes.

However, if you’re looking to send more snacks and goodies and kudos, why not head to a depressed neighborhood and find a hard working mom who needs some encouragement? Everyone seems to be supporting the police which is only okay if we’re not excluding other under-recognized groups.

Posted in Life, Ramblings, Uncategorized.

One Comment

  1. Melissa, as I said on my fb post, I appreciate your candor & courage to share your heart. Being intentional in our relationships is counter-cultural these days. Truly, it’s the Gospel with skin on. Thank you for the encouragement to step out of my comfort zone and intentionally seek another relationship outside of my immediate circle/beliefs/race/lifestyle….
    Blessings!

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