Guys I have been wracking my brain for the last few days, trying to think of what I could possibly say during this time of pain. Our country, and the world, is struggling to deal with the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, as continuation of a long line of violence directed towards communities of color. It is a time of sadness, anger, frustration, fear, & uncertainty.
Many of our couples are part of groups that have been the target of racism and bigotry, and it breaks my heart that there was ever even a single moment where you felt unsafe, unheard, devalued, or disrespected, and even worse, that this is all too often the norm.
I want to pause for just a moment and recognize that I am the beneficiary of privilege. I will endeavor to use that privilege to join my fellow human beings. Steven and I will amplify their voices until their cries are heard. We will be even more vigilant in the future about our own words and deeds, as well as those around us. We won’t let this topic rest until we see a change in the world, starting in our own home. We’ll continue to teach our kids the importance of standing up for those who have been treated unjustly. We’ll teach them to recognize their own prejudices and assumptions. We’ve discussed practical and tangible ways, beyond protesting and sharing hashtags, that we can help.
I heard an interview on the radio where one woman said to our community “If you want to help us, we need more than your words. If you see a black or brown person being pulled over, pull over with them. If you see a white person calling the cops on a person of color, wait with them. Stand by them.”
I was ashamed that this thought had never occurred to me before.
I don’t want to take away from the magnitude and importance of this moment in time by blogging pictures of happy couples. I just want to say to all of you that we believe in the good in people. We believe that people, including ourselves, can do better. We have faith that justice will prevail, that the world will change. We are taking this time to listen, to learn, and to be the change we want to see in the world.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your lives, and your love stories. If there is any way that we can be of service, please let us know. We are with you.
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