Ten days ago, we sent a message with unfiltered words and raging emotions. Since then the intense heartache, profound pain, and raging anger has not subsided. But it’s been met with a rising sound of hope–again. Not loud enough…but rising.
These past 15 days, we’ve found some solace in the arms of strangers in protests and prayer rallies in the streets of Oakland and San Francisco. We’ve been fortified by the black and brown 15- and 16- year old’s organizing and mobilizing their communities to act. In them, we see the faces of future mayors, senators, and presidents.
The national and global outcry to end racism and anti-blackness persists in the face of a pandemic and the police violence that has lashed out in response. Because racism is the disease and crime that’s been choking, crushing, debilitating the life of black and brown people for centuries. And, the time has come to end it.
But let’s be real and honest. It will require much more than declarations for change by mayors, statements of solidarity by allies, signed petitions, and calls to action to defund the police. All of it is necessary but just the beginning.
The shackles of injustice will begin to fall with the convictions of those who murdered George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Ricky Ball, Marc Davis, Mike Ramos—and the countless black men and women murdered because of the color of their skin.
The tides will begin to turn when city and state budgets reflect the ideals shared by a Tweet from governors and mayors. Funding schools not prisons. Investing billions in mental health and social services instead of police departments. Building a new economy that benefits “essential” workers who today break their backs to make corporate leaders wealthier. Making reparations and ensuring generational wealth for Black Americans denied the opportunity from centuries of slave labor.
This is where we start to heal. Anything short of this will abort any progress from a nation still trying to be born. The idea of a nation founded on righteous principles. But a history stained with genocide and slavery. Today, we have an opportunity to hit reset—from cities to states to the house on 1600 Black Lives Matter Boulevard.
I can hear the sound of change coming. It’s faint. But it’s getting louder.
Starting tomorrow, we will share with you how LCF will do its part to turn up the volume. Stay tuned…
With Love and Faith,
Jacqueline and Your LCF Family
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