Over the last few weeks I’ve been watching reruns of “Frasier”. Most days I just appreciate the witty humor, the subtle (and not so subtle digs) at pretension and privilege, and the frank telling of the ups and downs of family relationships. But this week, more than ever, I continue to be drawn back to Fraiser’s words at the beginning of his radio show, “I’m listening.”
If this week has taught me anything, it’s that I need to take more time to listen to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). I need to listen closely to their stories and their perspectives of news events. I need to be willing to trust them when they say justice has not been served, when they confide their fear of law enforcement, when they expose the seedy underbelly of white privilege that pervades every area of our culture. I must choose to listen closer even when it doesn’t immediately make sense in my predominately white world view and even when there’s no video to prove it. This isn’t just about George Floyd, this is about every day life in America for BIPOC.
I think the best way to honor the memory of George Floyd and to further the cause of justice is to shut up and listen. I invite you to join me in spending some time listening to BIPOC. Here are some of the people I’ve been listening to:
The people protesting on my street on Thursday afternoon shouting “No Justice, No Peace—Prosecute the Police” and carrying signs like “Racism is a Weapon of Mass Destruction” and “Justice 4 George Floyd”
BIPOC leaders in the Minneapolis community like Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, and Minneapolis City Council Member Andrea Jenkins
BIPOC colleagues and students at my work place—Luther Seminary
The owner of one of the Minneapolis restaurants that burned down—Ghandi Mahal—who said “let my building burn, justice needs to be served, put those officers in jail”
Other financial coaches like The Budgetnista and Lindsey Bryan-Podvin of Mind Money Balance
An article from Living Lutheran called “Unpacking White Privilege” written by two women leaders—Yolanda Denson-Byers and Shari Seifert—one who is a person of color and one who is not
Edgar Villanueva: Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance
Drew Hart: Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism
There are so many more I could name, but this seems like a good place to start. This week I’ll be sharing other voices on my Instagram and Facebook feeds. What BIPOC voices have you been listening to? Let us know in the comments.
Unlike Fraiser, I hope you’ll use this moment to listen deeply, reflect on how your actions have contributed to this injustice, and take steps to act in solidarity with BIPOC. Too often those of us in positions of privilege listen with the intention of fixing a situation, convinced we know the solution. Or, we get so fired up about speaking “for” BIPOC, that we drown out their voices and end up stealing the limelight for ourselves. Take a breath and listen deeply to their stories. Dwell in your discomfort. Yes, let’s protest, rebuild our neighborhoods, and fight for justice today—but let’s not miss this moment to create not just a short-term movement, but long-lasting systemic change.