Because of the color of my skin and the socio-economic middle class status of my parents – I was born privileged.
I don’t get followed by suspicious clerks when I shop in a department store.
No one calls the cops when I ask them to please keep their dog on a leash.
I have never been pulled over and searched, hand cuffed or pressed down to the pavement under the guise of “I fit the description of a crime suspect.”
I haven’t had to raise my son to be extra vigilant when he stops at a convenient store, takes an afternoon jog through an affluent neighborhood or adventures out into Central Park to enjoy nature.
Taking that all into account and understanding that I am indeed privileged merely because I am white means I have a responsibility to those who don’t share this same privilege.
My responsibility is to ask more questions, to lean in, to listen and comprehend and then take action to ensure justice for all.
It is on me to teach my children about the evils of racism and the vile behavior associated with bigotry.
Because I get to enjoy breathing in the wide open space of white privilege I must remember those who have died pleading “I can’t breathe.”
“I can’t breathe” should and must take my breath away.
We who are the “walking, living, breathing white privileged” must stand up now, today and every day forward for those who aren’t.
I hope all of you who are also the living privileged will join me, because united we stand . . . divided we fall.
The Zen Den
Hello and welcome to The Zen Den. My name is Alison and while I am passionate about many things, my most inspiring driving force is human connection. Blogger, content writer, orthopedic exercise specialist, motivational speaker, international yoga pro, published songwriter, avid poker player, mom and wife are just a few of my titles. But when I do my job at NASA, I am known simply as “The Fairy Zenmother” a role I deeply love because people invite me into their space to help them find their center, relax and stretch their muscles and destress their mind. Here in the blogosphere version of The Zen Den, I invite you into my world where I will explore ideas for creating a better tomorrow and a kinder today. And hopefully, with insight, authenticity and humor; my words, observations and experiences will help you feel calm, centered, intellectually challenged and spiritually enlightened. Alternatively, if you have something you would like to see covered in The Zen Den, just let me know. Your feedback is welcome and valuable to the success of this blog. Finally, my heart is filled with gratitude to have this opportunity to share with all of you.
