July 4- ‪#‎DelrawnSmall‬
July 5- ‪#‎AltonSterling‬ 
July 6- ‪#‎PhilandoCastile‬
July 7- ‪#‎PiedmontParkHanging‬
July 9- ‪#‎AlvaBraziel‬

These are the names of just five Black people who were unlawfully killed in the last 6 days. My heart is heavy as I watch this world fill with fear. Fear of #BlackLivesMatter. Fear of police. Fear of immigrants. Fear of LGBTQ. Fear of each other.

I tried to post about anything else. But my heart brought me here. As a subscriber of this blog, you will recognize that I will post what speaks to my heart. Right now, it's this.

One of the lessons I have learned this year is the true meaning of love and fear.

Love is not only for romance or for friends. Fear is not just being afraid. I think most people believe that the world is filled with hate, when really, it's filled with fear. Fear tells us to be small-minded. Fear tells us to ignore the pain of others. Fear tells us to make an opinion about someone or something without engaging in differing perspective. Fear will tell you to live a life that meets the expectations and beliefs of everyone around you, even forsaking personal happiness. 

The Wednesday I arrived in Fargo, North Dakota for my brother's wedding, the shooting of Philando Castile happened just a few hours drive away in Minnesota. It was devastating to hear that a 4-year-old girl had to witness her father being shot by a police officer. It was devastating to hear that another officer allowed fear of another human being cause another senseless murder. It was devastating to recognize that as of this month, 136 Black people have been killed by police in 2016. Fear itself is ruining our world!

The part that really bothers me, is that people seem unaffected. When a dog is killed in China for a meat festival, American citizens are protesting and fighting for reform on behalf of animals from across the globe. Yet these same citizens are silent when a Black man is killed in America by those sworn to serve. Fail to see the comparison? Well, why would one's compassion for life not extend to all humanity? Why shouldn't we, as Black people, be jaded when the world seems to treat us as if we don't matter?

Even when we have a right to be angry, people only observe and talk about the anger, not the cause. How unjust is that?

Regardless of your political views, religious views, and personal experiences, no person in the American judicial system should be dealt inhumane punishment, when the system is supposed to protect all citizens from injustice. 

I recognize that if you are not Black in America, you will not fully understand our perspective. You will tell us that we should not be angry. You will tell us that our struggle is not real. You will tell us that we should not speak about these things. You will tell us to treat our own better, then maybe the world will (this topic is another post in itself). And I write this because it has all been said to me. 

There is one thing that we can all understand, one thing that we can all do. And that is to love. Everyone can love. Because love will not allow you to belittle another person's struggle. Love will not allow you to be neutral in times of injustice. Love will tell you to allow a person to share their journey, without judgement.  Love will speak out and take action when you have the power to do so. And love of self is not hatred of another.

I will always support the Black community. I will always be in support of justice. I will always do my best to give to those in need. I will use my voice to empower myself and those around me. This is all in the name of love! To uplift and empower the under-served, under-resourced, and underrepresented is my call to love. You should not feel offended by that which does no harm.

If you are ever unsure of what to do, let your actions speak LOVE.

Happiness and Love Always,

Lisa