Colorblindness is an enemy...

I don't see color.
I didn't enslave anyone.
I worked for all I have.
The most discriminated against person is the white male.

Have you said any of those statements? Do any of those statements strike a nerve?

I humbly confess that I have said all of those statements.  And when they were said I was ignorant of how minorities have to navigate life and have navigated life for centuries. I am saddened but my lack of empathy for people; my friends. Please forgive me my ignorance and lack of knowledge.  Please forgive me for not listening better and immediately being defensive. Please forgive me for not learning sooner. I am incredibly grateful that God grew our family in a completely unexpected way; a way that is encouraging me to finally take off my blinders and grow in ways I didn't know I even needed.

My children will be living in a different world than I do. I am in the majority and Jolie and Josiah are not. Have you ever been aware of your white-ness? I will never forget last summer being at the children's museum and my son was playing inside the fenced park while I sat with his sisters eating lunch. Then, he disappeared; no where to be seen. Instant panic and frantic searching for what felt like an eternity was alleviated when an employee brought him back to the park. She truly believed him to be a lost child and was looking for his mother. And I couldn't possibly be that, because I am white. Never had I been more aware that I am not black.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for me and I have much more to learn and process as I want to to help my babies know how to navigate life. This sermon put words and terms to many things our family has felt the last 2.5 years. Listen to it; it will challenge you, it will grow you. I'm thankful a dear friend recommended it to me. I am excited to delve into the books he references to learn more. 

Will you learn with me? And here is the rub, it's probably more important for white families to listen to it because of white transparency, white normativity, and structural advantage.  Confused about those terms? I was too; so take a listen (or read the transcript) and let's learn together. I mean look at them; they are totally worth it!

LISTEN TO THIS.