A Message from the Executive Director of Grace Counseling on June 3, 2020

 

The recent death of George Floyd, an African American man, inflicted by the knee of a White police officer in Minneapolis was the spark that ignited dry tinder.  Protests, most peaceful but some violent, have been widespread across our nation for the past week.  Racism has never gone away.  I think many White people have wanted to believe this problem had diminished significantly.  Those who are not White know better.

If I’m truly honest, I need to say that I have struggled with the term “White privilege.”  I grew up relatively poor, had to scrape and claw my way through college and graduate school and would not have considered myself privileged.  I equated that term with wealthy, and I was not.  But what I didn’t know is what I didn’t experience.  I was never nervous about an interaction with police officers, never thought twice about reaching into the glove box to retrieve my registration.  When I walked on the street or went into stores or restaurants, I would either not be noticed or at least not be considered a threat.

I won’t pretend to speak for those who are not White.  I will simply acknowledge that far too often they experience unpleasant, hurtful, and dangerous situations that I do not.  For my White brothers and sisters who doubt or questions this truth, can I just say we don’t know what we don’t know.  Acknowledging that people of color experience something different isn’t a solution to the problems, but it is at least a validation of their experience.

It angers me when police abuse their power.  It angers me when civilians target police with violence.  There is so much hate and animosity running through our society.  It’s exhausting!

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (I Corinthians 13:6-7)

We need to deal with the truth of racism because love rejoices with the truth.  We need to have honest conversations and listen to one another because there is no other way to promote greater understanding and compassion.  One of the best synonyms for love is acceptance.  We are not all the same and thank goodness for diversity.  But can we move toward accepting one another and value diversity instead of fearing it?  Can we do more to protect one another?

Love has hope.  Love perseveres.

Michael Kragt, Ph.D., CAC III

Licensed Psychologist

Executive Director

Grace Counseling