In many ways, we have forgotten our sense of community.

This was first evident to me when the coronavirus began spreading.  Then, as other countries banded together to manage cases, the United States did not act.  It bypassed crucial moments to implement preliminary safety measures to prevent the spread here.  Even now, many people ignore the basic guidelines and CDC recommendations and cases continue to pop up.

It is irresponsible to hold parties, socialize in person, or go without a face mask.  It’s negligent for your own health and safety but downright disrespectful for others.  How are we looking out for our fellow citizens if we can’t do our part?

Then, with recent circumstances surrounding the death of George Floyd, it becomes even more evident that we are missing the point.  My heart sinks to see that we are still so disconnected from our fellow humans. 

Where is our sense of community?

While we are more able than ever before to connect with one another, we are beyond disconnected in the ways that matter.

Community seems to be the missing piece in all of the hardships the country (U.S.) is facing and our ability to overcome them.  

We value personal freedom and the opportunities that allow us but who is actually benefiting?

How can anyone say all people are protected when, really, it is one group being protected?

How can we call our country a melting pot of cultures when the groups that add diversity are frequently squashed and disregarded, or misrepresented at best?

For those of us who are in positions of waiting, positions of enduring, and positions to lead, we have the chance, now, to reinvent what it means to have a community.  How much longer must we be so disconnected?  While we live in a modern age of technology and massive accessibility to tools of communication, we often let pass the chances to use our words in a way that can create an impact.  

If you wonder what impact your words can have then ask yourself: what is it that you value?  If it is kindness, how can you be that?  If it is wealth, how can you spread that?  If it is communication, how can you create that?  And how can you do that inclusively?

Change doesn’t have to be big or complicated.  The grand effects only happen when everyone bands together.  For that, everyone has to take part.

In fact, for those who feel stumped about what significance they have in the scope of the larger societal issues at hand, simply leaning into openness can be magical.  

• Be open to the differences between you and others⁠
• ⁠Be willing to holding space for the tribulations of others and do not diminish their plight⁠
• ⁠Be respectful of the issues that affect a person and groups of people which are important even if you are not yet informed⁠
• ⁠Be proactive to change your mind when beliefs you’ve held are no longer sensible or relevant⁠

⁠In other words, make the effort to listen to others without judgment.  It certainly helps to seek education on subjects such as race inequality, appropriation, and subjugation as it pertains to race, ethnicity, or gender minority groups.  I know that is a large feat on its own, and doing so will only help us be more equipped to help our fellow humans out in the community, and world, we live in.  

At the most grassroots level, if you can open your mind and your heart to the stories and truths that minority groups have been exclaiming for years, then you can be an ally.  If you share in the experiences and information, then you can be an upstander.  If you can invest in the basic principles of equality for others, then you can help create that reality.

Things don’t get better unless you want them to and can take action to create more of what you want to see.  We have the opportunity now to take note of where we are together as a community, and as a country, even if we haven’t always associated ourselves that way.  Even if we have made mistakes in the past or did not exercise the kindness and respect that we should have, we can improve.  It is time for action.

I’m attaching education resources I found helpful here:

 

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A post shared by sundas • data • seattle • life (@sundaskhalidd) on May 30, 2020 at 4:01pm PDT

 

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A post shared by Good Good Good (@goodgoodgoodco) on May 28, 2020 at 11:09am PDT