Life Lived - I was afraid

I woke up today, ready for another remote teaching day, thinking I might be headed back to my school tomorrow. I scrolled through Facebook and was flooded with people seeking up and speaking out on the racism riots and protest happening across North America. Yes, they are happening in Canada too. I have been following this quietly for days now, and I keep seeing 'Silence is complacence' and I agree. 

I was uncomfortable with my own silence. I didn't want to say the wrong thing, or have to defend my position to the few conservative people on my feed. But there in lies the problem. I was afraid. Afraid of what people might see, what people might say, when they look at me. The whitest white girl waving her sweet little flag of support.

I have been caught in my own bias and prejudice before, and I was afraid to do it again. To say the wrong thing and be labeled as 'White Saviour'

 I was afraid.

But the more I see the people who are marching, the more I hear the cries for love and support, the more I knew I had no right to be afraid. 

I am white, and although I have no intent on saving anyone, I will stand and fight along side. I will stand up and and be the white Shieldmaiden when I'm needed. I will take up the arms of my words and I will stand with those who have been brought down. I will stand against the systems that have broken the hearts and spirits of the people of colour in my country. Whether they are Indigenous, Black, or otherwise. It is time to break through that fear, to lay it down, and put it where it will never see the light. Becasue it is the fear that keeps the hate real.

So, to my small following of readers who might see this

Sign the petitions

Share your voice

Educate yourselves

We live in a nation that prides itself on its kindness and respect of its people. Don't kid your self - learn. We are not perfect, we are not immune. 

We need to do better.

We need to stop being afraid - and start fighting in unity.