While sitting on a rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean on the shores of The Gambia in June 2002. I recently arrived from Canada to participate in a social-economic project, teaching introduction to computers.
I began to ask myself, how was it possible that for the second time I was now divorced.
After all the first time, I was not perfect and I didn’t want a divorce, therefore it was not my fault. And yes the 2nd time it was the same, I was not perfect, I didn’t want the divorce, not my fault.
Then my moment of reckoning, then the universe spoke. “what is common about this situation.” As I raised my hand, I replied, that would be me. I spent the next 10 years of research, self-reflection, prayers, and work on myself. I was the common denominator and the cause in the matter of my two divorces.
A number of tv news anchors and others in “white society” have stated a belief that we are not racist and this is not us. And we are better than this.
Well, what’s common about the situation? What is common is our denial of white privilege and white fragility. And until we in the white society accept our individual and collective cause in the matter of racism, will not see the end of racism is me and this us!
Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening
BY ROBERT FROST
Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.
My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.
He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound’s the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.
The woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.