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The good Samaritan didn't read up on the traveler's voting record, his criminal background, or his church membership before deciding to help. When I see others' hurt, I must listen. I must not look away or shroud it in skepticism. We may disagree. We may have different ideas and agendas. We may not like each others' favorite songs. We may speak and dress differently. But when you say you're hurting and have been hurting for generations, I will listen. I have been called to love my neighbor as myself, and although your pain is not my pain, I must work to stop it just the same. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBbbq08D-o9/?igshid=1t2frytyz9vcd

I'm sorry. I did wrong. I'm listening. . I have dismissed. I have victim-blamed. I have been insensitive. I have judged. I have reacted poorly when called out. I have not spoken up when I should have. . I have learned. I have changed my mind. . I am learning. I am listening. I will not stop. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBL7bZ4ltoc/?igshid=24aj07zbwh0y

Taking back the power ✊🏼 starts in your home, in your head, in your heart. . Our brains LOVE to take short cuts. Without conscious thought, we are constantly making generalizations about things we encounter in our daily life so that we can devote our brain power to other things. This can be a survival tactic - if a bug lands on you, you automatically go to brush it off before stopping to think "Wait, what kind of bug is this? Will it hurt me?" This shortcut lets you react quickly and effectively to potential dangers. . Implicit bias is one such short cut. Unlike bugs, however, when humans are being generalized, it's time to switch off auto-pilot. Like it or not, we all have biases. I'd like to challenge you to visit implicit.harvard.edu and take an inventory. You may be surprised! . While we have theories about how implicit bias develops, we don't know how to remove it. BUT we do know that it's possible to take away some of its power in our decision making processes. One way is simply by being aware of it. If you can check yourself in a situation, you are more likely to be objective and less likely to act on bias alone. . Don't give your bias the power to do your thinking. ✊🏼 Fight racism, starting with yourself. Clean the inside of your dish so the outside might be clean also. (Matthew 23:26) I'm still doing my dishes every day and I'd love company. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBG5PCkjo4I/?igshid=1xqgcrbfk79ik

I'm not sure why exactly Breonna Taylor has been on my mind so much. . Maybe it's that she was an EMT. She was working, serving the public during a global health crisis. Most of you know that Nick worked as an EMT for a while. There were times I worried about him at work, and times his job was dangerous. On the clock, he could be tackled by addicts or berated by grumpy old ladies. Once his shift was over, however, he could check the danger at the door. He could come home and go to bed without a single worry for his safety. Breonna Taylor didn't get that. . Maybe it's that she was only a year older than me. . Maybe it's that she was shot in her home even though her husband legally owned a gun and tried to use it to defend them. A reason why countless Americans choose to own guns - the nightmare middle-of-the-night-intruder scenario - only it wasn't enough to save her life. And the "intruders" were police in plain clothes on a no-knock warrant at the wrong apartment. . A perfect storm of errors cost this young woman her life. Thus far, no one has answered for it. I find all of this truly haunting, and you should too. . Breonna Taylor would have turned 27 today. Happy birthday, Breonna. Your death was not excusable. I won't forget you. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBETLR_DyhP/?igshid=1nspupoxydhq8

If you are a white person who is just starting to grapple with questions of systemic racism and abuse of power, you may be feeling frustrated. You may be thinking, "What the heck! If an apology isn't enough, then WHAT do you want from me??? What will satisfy you??" I hear you. These are complex issues and they're hard to understand at first (why do you think it's so much easier to just ignore them?). It may feel like what "they" want from you is impossible to give. That their demands are unreasonable. That nothing you can do will make them happy. . I get it. It's hard! As if it isn't difficult enough to unlearn so many implicit things you've been taught all your life, now you're being asked to help repair a system you personally had no role in creating. When you first hear this it might sound like you're being asked to move mountains. It is 1000% easier to stay exactly the way you are and change nothing. It may even benefit you personally to stay the same. But God is watching. Your friends are watching. Our brethren of color are watching and need help. Take a few deep breaths and don't give up. . (Let me be VERY clear that you should not expect patience and pity from POC as you learn. I will cry with you, I will help you work things out, I will not shame you, but understand that black people are tired and busy. Making them comfort you adds to their burden.) . Here is one thing you can do today: simply start listening. Think honestly about your friends/follow list. How many perspectives are shown? Where are your blind spots? In the second photo are some IG handles of women of color who are open about their experiences and come from varied faiths, ages, and careers. Give a few of them a follow and just start reading/watching. (I know that not everyone uses Instagram in this way, but think of your books, podcasts, & Twitter too.) . It's okay to be uncomfortable or to disagree. Just keep listening. It's not too late. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBBiJx7D-EU/?igshid=1u16bt6tmffmn

Even if you agreed with Dr. King. Even if you voted for Obama. Even if you adopted a black child. Even if you have black friends. Even if you think black women are beautiful. . Implicit racial bias is present in everyone. It develops from as young as two years old. It's the small biases that lead to the big problems. No one has a free pass to stop listening and stop learning. . I know most internet discourse is fruitless, and I'm by NO means an expert, but I'm happy to answer (or help you find answers to) questions asked in good faith to the best of my ability. This is a no-shame zone for anyone wanting to understand. . "The beauty of anti-racism is that you don't have to pretend to be free of racism to be an anti-racist. Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it's the only way forward." -Ijeoma Oluo https://www.instagram.com/p/CA-dmEsDEoH/?igshid=15s4ufv9ts3n6

Introduced Nick, Teddy, and Toby to my grandparents yesterday. They were special people. (at Valhalla Funeral Chapel, Crematory and Cemetery) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAp0sVUjTgt/?igshid=rvx0nunpqclk

Little doodle I did of Teddy last week for some cards ☺️ I had to post late so as not to ruin the surprise! 😉 https://www.instagram.com/p/CAVLOLLDdtZ/?igshid=1shd8u2vdpb3b

Tonight's #dinner - pesto shrimp and zucchini noodles. Y U M. Zoodles may be a very last year trend food, but we still love them. There were no leftovers. Teddy was eating the shrimp out of the bowl with his hands. (He's really bad at saying "shrimp" and it's very adorable.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CAJqUhzDMls/?igshid=1iscs7k79vc5r

#dinner

What "working mom" meant a month ago: waking up hours before you actually work to take care of tiny humans, not changing into work clothes until you're on your way out the door because you might get kid food/poop/barf on you, the endless pump/chill/freeze/thaw/wash/wash/wash breastfeeding task list . What "working mom" means today: hiding in the basement with your laptop during naptime, not caring if you get spit-up/drool/food on you as long as it's from the waist down, unapologetic disclaimers that any and all video calls may include tiny humans . Moms out here changing the definition of professionalism... 😅 https://www.instagram.com/p/B-v1pYfjD6r/?igshid=p3x4c8x6g8a9

Saturday project - hanging baby pictures! Our house has a pretty unique floor plan where the door to our bedroom is immediately off the front entryway. That makes this wall a great place for baby pics. These are the first pictures of Toby to be hung in our house! 😍☺️💞💞 #homeimprovement https://www.instagram.com/p/B-kS8ZAjaN3/?igshid=1mokw1ghzuhpv

#homeimprovement

First attempt at ratatouille. It was delicious! Need a bigger pan next time. And maybe a mandoline slicer. #somuchslicing #meatlessfridays https://www.instagram.com/p/B-icktDjDoC/?igshid=17z8mulaqrmb6

#somuchslicing #meatlessfridays

Chorizo fajitas tonight. A party (fiesta?) in my mouth. Walmart being out of all the types of meat I usually buy has some perks. Delicious perks. #dinner https://www.instagram.com/p/B-dgBEwjMou/?igshid=13h3n1d4fpq0m

#dinner

I've been trying to draw the boys more. It's hard when they're constantly on the move. (Especially Toby. The best drawings I have are of the back of his head when he's chewing on something he isn't supposed to.) This one made possible by Blippi, Teddy's favorite show. #lifedrawing #teddymcgovern #ink https://www.instagram.com/p/B90ljLFhgC7/?igshid=1wv4yqjkzfici

#lifedrawing #teddymcgovern #ink

Goodness, I love this one. #teddymcgovern #lilredwagon #watchingairplanes (at Creve Coeur, Missouri) https://www.instagram.com/p/B87bHRfBfaS/?igshid=1v8f1oem9u1b3

#teddymcgovern #lilredwagon #watchingairplanes

☀️I got everything I need when I've got you by my side☀️ . alt caption: my son will cut you, but my other son is gonna let you slide. . alt caption: posing and waiting at the end of the slide works WAY better than "say cheese!" (at Holy Infant Church and School) https://www.instagram.com/p/B85X1e6hOXS/?igshid=1qxbptjdqcve0

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