There are so many thoughts swirling around my head;so many emotions, where to begin.This is a very different newsletter for me because of all I want to share without boring you.

With all that has happened I began reflecting on experiences of the past; other riots other times, Boston, Vietnam, Rodney King, I remember doing work with  NCCJ on dialogues.and understanding; we have to break perceptions and biases. Yes, we all have them as well as stereotypes and prejudices.We assume so much. A friend told me about growing up with Brad Garrett from Everybody loves Raymond who is 6’7″ and couldn’t play basketball.Talk about living with misconception!

I was speaking to my grandson who is in West Virginia I called to make sure he was safe because he is biracial and 6’2 I told him to be careful and aware. He replied isn’t that part of life there are dangerous people,places, and things all on this planet.Every individual needs to be cautious and aware of the situations they are in. He also said he was always judged on how he looks.  Don’t we all assume based first on how we judge people in the 1st 30 seconds of meeting them? How often are we wrong?

I know I am a work in progress in terms of my perceptions and prejudices I read an interview with Robin DiAngelo on White Fragility it was eye opening. I encourage all of you who are reading this to reflect and consider what steps you can take to make a small change. We can’t change anything unless we are aware of it.

Thank you Elana Foxx for posting this.
What if 2020 is the year we’ve been waiting for?
A year so uncomfortable, so painful, so scary, so raw-that finally FORCES us to grow.
A year that screams so loud, finally awakening us from our ignorant slumber.
A year we finally accept the need for change.
Declare change.  Work for change. Become the change.
A year we finally band together, instead of pushing each other further apart.
2020 isn’t cancelled, but rather the most import year of them all.
—- Leslie Dwight

May this be the beginning of a better world for all of us