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Showing posts with the label Listening

What do I do in my corner of the world?

The sky is blue and the warmth of the sun feels fantastic. The smell of cut grass fills the air while birds peck around the yard for fresh worms. Colour is taking over my little corner of the world, dressing the branches and garden beds again. And yet, so many corners of the world lie in rubble from violence and disease. (location unknown) My heart is heavy over the violence and injustice we witness in Gaza. Over the powerful choosing not to hold back their strength, choosing the opposite of de-escalation. Sure, from our North American point of view, it’s complicated and nuanced with biased media coverage. Like so many conflicts, it’s not clear to most onlookers what the way forward is. But what is abundantly clear is that children are dying. Innocent people are dying. Too many lives are being destroyed for us to remain silent. The innocent always pay the price. The Palestinian people are worthy of a safe and flourishing life. Fear and hate and power and differing ideologies twist fac...

Can We Hear Them?

Photo by Akshay Paatil on Unsplash Can we hear them? Cry after cry Soul weary Demanding justice As blood on our white hands drips again into the ground As air is cut off and pleas go ignored Last gasp until silence A life gone, deemed worthless Hearts break Anger rises Voices cry …They just want to live. Can we see them? Choosing clothes Choosing settings Choosing activities Choosing words carefully Choosing housing Choosing healthcare selectively …They just want to live. Can we hear them? Teaching their young black kids Words and posture of respect Doing all they can to help their children survive Bird watching Jogging Neighbours Shopping Sleeping Partying Coffee shops Traffic stops …They just want to live. Can we see them? Denied promotions Denied fair trials Denied equal access Denied a voice Denied justice Denied privilege Denied trust Denied worth Denied the freedom to live without fear …They just want to live. Can we listen? Can we hear? Can we learn? Can we acknowledge the re...