I have a confession to make...

I have a confession to make. I am white, and this makes me privileged. While I often blog about health inequities, disparities, and #sdoh I haven’t had the guts to talk about racism. I am saddened this week by what I see in our country and from our leaders. I am sick to my stomach that yet again there has been another senseless killing of a person of color. I have lost count. I can no longer sit by and be quiet, I have a voice and I try to use it for good.

This is just about more than another example of police injustice, it is about much more than that. How can we continue to allow health inequities, which have teed up COVID-19 to kill people of color at a much higher rate than white people? Ask yourself about the disparities in the education system or food deserts. It isn't ok, we are supposed to be the greatest nation on earth. But are we really? When those protesting injustices march and protest calmly- nothing changes, when our athletes silently show their support- they are cut out of the sports that they love when protests get out of hand- we blame “them” for being out of control and unworthy. While I don't, under any circumstances condone violence or looting, I don't understand how those protesting can have their voice heard that enough is enough and things have to change. I am thankful for my friends of color who have helped me understand the issues from their perspective because I have missed so much of the point and the nuances. It takes a world of diversity and equality to become the best nation, the best team of caregivers, the best whatever, that we can be.

It doesn't matter to me your skin color, whom you pray to, or whom you love. Please help me understand what I can do to help our nation heal this wound and move towards a more equitable world. We can't continue to slide backward. Violence, hatred, racism, vitriol. It isn’t ok with me and I want to help be part of the solution. Please take the time to read this great article and choose a few things to work on yourself. I have. Please know in advance that while my word choices may not all be perfect, my intentions are for peace and healing - not division.