I am hoping that the week ahead is about healing, love and working collectively towards solving the problems that our country is facing. It is Sunday. I hope the beginning to a better week.
I have been silent on all of the events around the country. I know this is a design blog and not a political blog but I feel compelled to say something after last week.
I stopped posting on social media this past few days because I was stunned into silence. So shocked that these types of events are still happening. Saddened by the lost lives. Taking a lot of it very personally. I have woken up several mornings in tears.
Since I have a blog, albeit about design, I have had the feeling that I want to say something. I wrote something out…my sister said it sounded angry and not really inspired…so I deleted it. She was just protecting me and COCOCOZY. I get it.
Another blogging friend who is black said she hasn’t posted anything because she doesn’t want to get into a whole social media back and forth with angry commenters making her have to defend how she feels on a matter that hits so close to home. I get it too. She also said do what is right for you.
What is right for me is to tell you how I feel in hopes that it gives some perspective on this last week has affected someone you “know”.
I feel sad that our country in 2016 is still having these problems surrounding race. I feel defeated in a sense that even though I think I can do anything, this week was a reminder there are still barriers. I hate that violence is an option for anyone. I want laws in place that bring people to justice for doing the wrong thing. I want laws in place that limit access to guns.
All that said, I am going to do what my grandmother would do through times like this when she was alive. I am going to pray for the innocent people who have died and their famililes, pray for peace, pray for understanding and mostly pray for a brighter future for all of us. I am also going to figure out what I can do to be part of the solution.
Tomorrow, I will go back to sharing pretty design photos. I will still be thinking about the important things that are happening in our country and around the world and doing my part to make things better. I hope you will too.
Hope you have a good Sunday.
xo
Coco
Well said.
I am touched by your sentiments. Thank you for sharing. They reflect how I also feel about this terrible week.
Amen Coco. Well said and I too feel the deep pain of this week and share your tears. Your grandmother would be proud of you – of your words, your courage and your actions.
Your words ring so true and bring tears to my eyes.
Thank you
In peace
Louise
What I love about the design wold is that acceptance of all ideas, styles and people transcends the outward appearance of the people creating the beauty in many cases. Prayers and patience are always a good way to quell the hatred and infiltrate the world with LOVE and appreciation for each person’s talents that make our world a better place everyday.
Color, size, sex and sexuality are all not important as we bring our creativity and positive energy to living a beautiful life.
Thank you for bringing your special talents to the market and sharing yourself in the blog!
Beautifully said.
I had to take a media break. It got to be the too much. So much anger, hate, violence. So much sorrow, anguish, loss. My Grandmama taught me that people are more alike than they are different and that most differences are only skin deep so I never paid much attention to anyone’s skin color or sexual preferences or religious preferences…….and, come on, it’s 2016! Why is this kind of stuff still going on? It’s horrible and I wish I knew how to make the madness STOP.
Well put! Peace!
You are beautiful to me
It is time for us to rise up against the powerful NRA and demand, not pray, for justice. The NRA panders to the Second Amendment, but the real reason is $$$$$$$$$. Here in Kansas we can’t balance the budget enough on the poor, the old, the mentally ill, but we we now have people legally carrying guns without permits. Because, you know, having to get a permit infringes on the almighty Second. We, on the other hand have a Secretary of State, who has pushed through legislation that requires photo IDs for voting, and a birth certificate to prove you are a US citizen. Then there’s the fact that Kansas has some of the most against women and abortion laws on the record. As one woman cryptically observed: the only way to get a legal abortion in Kansas is to shoot the fetus with a gun. Enough of this craziness. We are better than this.
You are an inspiration to so many of us. I am so thankful for women like you who won’t allow defeat to creep into our lives. Keep up the great work. I love you.
I think this week has stunned many of us into a sadness that can’t find a place in what we think of as America. The gun violence seems only to escalate and nothing moves through congress. When the first amendment was written, they had muskets not assault rifles! So sad for all the families.
After reading your comments I feel better. It’s been such an emotionally draining week and like you, I was stunned into silence. Thank you for your thoughts.
Thank you. My heart has been heavy since the Trevon Martin killing. Over and over and over we are all confronted with the brutality of racism and hatred. With ignorance and fear. Yes! We can all do everything, but discrimination in all of its myriad forms will continue to destroy what we have all worked so hard to establish. Will we ever have substantive gun control measures. Will women maintain sovereignty over their bodies and futures. Will equal pay for equal work ever be the norm. Will our young men ever cease to be targets of poorly recruited and trained police officers. Will senseless traffic stops (of men of color be they black or hispanic) to raise money for government expenditures ever end. Will the top 10% pay their appropriate share of taxes…………..so much work to be done. So many of us need to rise up and make our peaceful voices hear.
There’s a newly published book: Sacred America, Sacred World: Fulfilling Our Mission in Service to All by Stephen Dinan
Thank you for your words, your thoughts, your heart. I will keep praying too, and find ways to be part of the solution not the problem.
This craziness has to be personal for all of us – personal so that we recognize that for the world to change for the better, we all need to a part of the change. I appreciate your strength in putting yourself and your COCOCOZY self at risk of confrontation – and am so happy that you are surrounded by such a world of positive feedback from your readers. GO you!
Thank you Pam. I feel very fortunate to have this virtual “community”. Conversation and dialogue are the first step to understanding and problem solving. Appreciate you reaching out with your comment.