A reflection and invitation for reflection on Black Lives Matter from Elaine Gross, president and founder of ERASE Racism.
The horrific events over the past few days, months, and even years have impacted lives across the nation and around the world. At ERASE Racism, we recognize that this continuous trauma can affect our minds, bodies, and souls. We reach out today to say that you are not alone. If you have something to share, we are here to listen and, should you wish, we are here to amplify your voice. Please see the instructions below if you wish to share your reflection on Black Lives Matter.
This is my reflection.
The continuing killing of black people by agents of our government, the worst of police officers, not the best, has left me numb. I’m past the shock and disbelief. The fear and rage have worn me out. My usual optimism that change is possible is hanging on by a thread. But hang on I must because there is no alternative, lest we all die—all black bodies die. After all, structural racism at its core is violent. It strips us of our dignity and our birthright. It makes us invisible to many and hyper-visible to some who see black bodies as targets. Our lives don’t matter to both the blind who won’t see us and to the blinded who won’t stop seeing us as targets.
V. Elaine Gross
President
ERASE Racism
African American Woman
Please note: My reflection is not in any way a call for violence or revenge. I also mourn the killing of good police officers who run toward danger to protect the public, and I grieve with their families, just as I grieve with the families of African American children who have been killed by police officers. I am personally opposed to the proliferation of guns in our country. Unlike fist fights, guns routinely kill and maim. As long as guns continue to be easy to obtain by anyone who wants a gun, even those with emotional and mental illnesses, someone will be able to kill 5 police officers in Texas, 49 individuals in a Florida LGBTQ night club, 9 African Americans at a church service in South Carolina, 20 children and 6 adults at an elementary school in Connecticut, 13 victims at a high school in Colorado, 33 victims at a college in Virginia and over 50 victims in mass shootings at other schools and colleges, 12 victims at a movie theater in Colorado, 38 victims at civilian military facilities, and many more victims of mass shootings and shooting sprees at various public venues since 1994. Plus, untold thousands of black children, mostly black boys, who have lost their lives to daily gun violence.
How have you been impacted by these ongoing, ever-present catastrophes? If you want to share your reflections, please send your response of 150 words or less to info@eraseracismny.org. In the subject line, please type Black Lives Matter Reflection. We would especially like to collect reflections from people who identify as black, of African ancestry, or African American, etc. Our voices must not be silenced. We also welcome reflections from anti-racist allies with a multitude of racial and ethnic identities. Only you can decide if your reflection is through the perspective of an individual who walks through the world as a black child or adult. Please include your name and tell us if this is the reflection of a black person or an ally so that we can group the responses from blacks and from allies. An organizational affiliation is not required. Alternatively, you may choose to include the name of the town or community where you live or just include your name with no town or organizational information. If you do not want your reflection shared with the public via our Facebook page or other media, please say so in your email. Thank you. We are together in solidarity.
