I stood here in this
spot on the porch
and I had a lot
going on in my
heart and mind.
I know you can’t
tell from the picture…
but just trust me on this one.
I looked at the picture
that I made,
compliments of
the sun, and
I took a moment
to feel the weight of
what I was feeling.
Maybe you are in
that place, too.
Maybe you are
carrying heavy burdens –
for yourself,
your family,
your friends, and
for our country.
I feel it, too.
I am just one voice.
You have one, too.
I am just a little shadow
but please note from the picture
that I also have a stage.
You have one, too.
So let’s remember this
moment of being full
of righteous anger,
let’s allow it
to propel us
to take up our space
on our own individual stages
and speak truth.
Go ahead and be loud,
but please pace yourself.
Your stage may be leading
your kids to understand bias.
Your stage may be leading a
book club to discuss a book on antiracism.
Or perhaps you dive in and unlearn
and share what you are learning anew.
Perhaps your role is to
share your stage and
amplify another’s voice.
Don’t forget what you feel.
Don’t forget you have a stage.
#PermissionGranted
