For months I have thought about what I would share on my Patreon and newsletter today. I have been thinking about the lessons I have learned since George Floyd’s gruesome murder a year ago today. I thought about the lessons we may have collectively learned in this pass year. It seems like the loudest question on our lips today is what have we learned since Floyd’s murder?
Whatever the answer to that question is we can collectively agree 9 minutes and 26 seconds changed our world. And that is but one of the lessons I'm left with. In that short amount of time so much violence was done. But I also have to reflect on the fact that positive changes could happen in 9 minutes and 26 seconds. I thought about things I have been able to do in ten minutes that have positively changed me and others:
Planting a basil plant.
Sending an encouraging text to 3 friends.
Taking my dog Sammi to one of his favorite poop spots (lol) down the street.
Ordering a book from a stranger’s wish list.
Buying someone what my mom would calls a fancy mocha choco latte (lol)
Millions have gathered in Minneapolis today to honor Mr. Floyd’s memory. And every day since his murder many of us have tried to repair the conditions that govern an embodied systemic violence that materialized his death. We must reckon with it in order to be fully freed from it. But alongside this work let’s take the time to realize the kindness that can happen in 9 minutes and 26 seconds reminding ourselves and others that we see their fullness.