I don’t know how it feels to be you.
I don’t want to guess anymore.
I would like to understand.
I realize that means asking you to wade into my ignorance.
And I am sorry in advance for the pain and frustration that my lack will cause you.
I don’t know another way.
Really, I just want to be your friend.
I can learn and understand more just by being your friend –
you don’t have to carry the weight of educating me,
as that is my burden to bear.
I will read and learn and dig in to know more. But.
Can we talk?
I would like to know what you see, what you feel, what you’ve experienced.
Why?
Because I know it is different from what I see, feel and experience
and I need your perspective to be a better human.
I will be a safe place for you to speak, please don’t censor your words.
Without our friendship, I walk into a world that is hemorrhaging and struggle to know how to stop the bleeding.
Is this something we can do together? Can friendship begin to heal not only the places that you and I are broken but also show the way for others to pursue healing?
Maybe together we can understand how to stop the flow of hate, racism and injustice.
Can friendship do that? Become a catalyst for healing?
I think it comes down to us.
To what we do.
Together.
