Last week after the tragic death of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, I wrote a public status inviting my readers to send in their thoughts and feelings. I will be sharing these posts over the coming days. You can read my post on the subject here.
Lucky... Heartbroken... Hopeful (Guest Post)
Last night I had company over, as I often do on Saturday evenings, for dinner and drinks. My best friend and I sat on the porch drinking a bottle of wine and watching the annual fireworks display in my neighborhood. It was the kind of carefree weekend activity that I’ve come to know and expect in this comfortable suburban life I’m living. This morning, I woke up feeling lucky. I have a nice, air conditioned house to call home, a comfortable bed to sleep in, and a loving family to wake up to each morning.
I woke up feeling lucky because I know that my children will have a bright future. The world will be at their doorstep and the system that exists in this country is there to support them as they grow, learn, and create a life for themselves. I woke up feeling lucky because they’re safe. I woke up feeling lucky because I’m white. By sheer happenstance, I was born into a white family.
Last night after my company left I caught up on the news, as I often do in the evenings, before bed. I watched videos of protests going on across the country, I read stories about innocent lives that were taken and the aftermath of injustice. It was the kind of news that I’ve come to know and expect in this country I’m living in. This morning, I woke up feeling heartbroken. People are suffering.
 I woke up feeling heartbroken because innocent people are dying. The world we’re living in is broken and the system that exists in this country doesn’t support everyone. I woke up feeling heartbroken because people no longer feel safe in this country, the land of the free and home of the brave, because by sheer happenstance, they were born into a black family.
Last night after I processed what is happening in our society I prayed, as I often do, for peace. I prayed for understanding, equality, and love. I prayed that we, my brothers and sisters of the human race, can come together strong and unified. I woke up feeling hopeful. We can overcome this.
I woke up feeling hopeful because I know that this nation is better than this. The world we’re living in can be a beautiful place if we work together to fight injustice, intolerance, and hate. I woke up feeling hopeful because I know that love conquers all and I hope that change will come.
Holli Ann is a lifestyle and parenting writer based out of Kansas City, MO who enjoys travel, nerdy board games, and nouns.
