Questions From a White Woman

May 27, 2020

Today I am disheartened. My soul aches. I am embarrassed by people that share the same color skin as myself.

While scrolling through Facebook today, I saw posts about George Floyd and Amy Cooper. The posts I read were from black and white men and women sharing their thoughts and feelings. Calling people to action.

However, there is a difference between these posts. The language is different because the experience is different.

George Floyd died because a police officer put his knee on the back of Floyd’s neck until he couldn’t breathe. The video is gut wrenching. Calling for help. Verbalizing that he couldn’t breathe.  George Floyd is dead.

Amy Cooper called the cops because “an African American male was threatening her.” She called the police because she was asked to leash her dog and refused. She was asked to follow a park rule. Thankfully, that African American male who was “threatening” her recorded what was really going on. The story might look very different if Christian Cooper hadn’t taken that video. Christian Cooper is alive and so is systematic racism.

As a Christian and a human being I am called to love. That is it. Love. Love as Jesus himself loved.

So I have questions as a white woman. As someone who wants to fight injustice. As someone who wants to love as Christ did. Genuine questions.

1. How, as a white woman, can I best support my black brothers and sisters?
2. How can I fight against injustice without being a part of it?
3. As a Christian, what does fighting against injustice and supporting my brothers and sisters look like?
4.  How do I stand up when I witness racism?
5. How can I better recognize when I am being insensitive or racist?

I seek to become a better person through this. An ally. I seek to extend love and support. As time goes on I am sure I will have more questions. And if I am being insensitive at any point through any word or action, my hope is that someone will help educate me and make me aware so that I can change and improve.

“A new command I give to you: Love one another. As I loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34