2020’s first half is quickly approaching, and what a first act it has been. The pandemic has swept all corners of the earth and the long-overdue black lives matter movement here in the United States. This year has caused many people to reflect inwards and outwards as quarantine has given more time for thought. I want to help foster an inclusive society with tolerance and love for all. A place that people feel included and accepted regardless of ethnicity or cultural belief. Everyone deserves to feel safe and valuable because we are all human and have worth.
How can we develop and cultivate this type of environment and culture? It starts by trying to understand one another’s point of view and circumstances. We have to accept that if one person has a different perspective than ours, that doesn’t make them wrong, but we need to try and understand their point of view.
We must not think about ourselves but think about others, to overcome the pandemic and ensure everyone feels welcome and equal. It is my/our responsibility to do the best we can to stay safe and keep others from getting the Covid-19 virus. How can we do that? By taking extra precautions to wear a mask, washing hands frequently, social distance, and helping those at increased risk avoid situations that put them at a higher likelihood of contracting the virus.
As for the black lives matters movement, it is not enough to not be racist, but we must be actively supportive of our fellow brothers and sisters. We are all human and have more in common than differences. We all need food, air, and water to live regardless of the tone of our skin. Everyone deserves to feel safe and not targeted or disadvantaged because of their skin color. Nobody on earth had an active choice in the color of their skin or their respective family. Let us all look for the common thread between us all and work to create a more inclusive culture and uplift one another.
I grew up playing basketball and was frequently a minority, but it did not matter that I was white, and most of my teammates were black, we were trying to accomplish something together. My experiences playing basketball helped me realize that we can all come together for a common goal, and now more than ever, our black community needs us to help them achieve the same freedoms that I have had my whole life. We can accomplish this by being kind to everyone and extending a helping hand. We can raise our voices peacefully and drive change by openly talking to one another to hear them and proactively work together to create change. It cannot happen if we are unwilling to step outside our comfort zone.
I have hope that we can create a better world for all. Let us all look inside and find ways we can be a difference in someone else’s life and future generations. Let us make the second act of 2020 the best one yet and the inflection point for the rest of humanity.
“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you want to make the world a better place
(If you want to make the world a better place)
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change”
Michael Jackson “Man in the Mirror”
Nunc Coepi 