It’s just a typical early morning in my neighborhood. I’m outside, struggling through my morning run as it went from 50 degree mornings to a humid 78 in a matter of days in DC, typical to just skip over spring. Although the early hour, my NE DC neighborhood is buzzing. On most blocks, I’m running past people outside starting their day, and today, I am particularly observant of the black men I pass by every single day. There’s the older black man across the street that is always in his yard pruning flowers and trimming bushes, taking pride in having the most pristine yard on the block. I see another man walking his dog and listening to music. And there’s the FedEx delivery man who always stops, smiles and says “I see you!” making me feel like I am really doing something on this struggle jog. And I come home to my husband, a black man who is on a conference call, making breakfast and entertaining our toddler’s puppet show at the same time.
It’s hard for me to process how others can see these black men as beings to be feared and not loved, men worthy of being contained and controlled with brutal, inhumane force. Or being viewed as less than human at all. Black men are multi-faceted – kind, relaxed, hardworking, encouraging, loving and strong enough to live in a world that does not always see them in the light they deserve. What will it take to change that?
As I watched the news unfold retelling the stories of Christian Cooper in Central Park and the tragedy of George Floyd in Minnesota, I’m reminded of the very different view that you’d have to believe for these events to take place in the first place. I’m heartbroken by that reality. And while I am processing those complex emotions, I am praying and pressing that the beauty, strength and love of black men will be made more visible and appreciated in a way that can change the narrative and point of view of the most ignorant among us, because the world is truly lacking and missing out.
It’s so true….. whenever I observe the black men in my life I try to see what the world see’s…. how can you look at these brothers, fathers, sons, FRIENDS as something to fear simply because of the color of there skin? It’s so sad but I love your perspective as a wife from a predominantly black neighborhood…. question do you consider D.C. as a somewhat utopia for black people?
Thank you for commenting! I love DC for its diversity, for feeling central to the action (which was great when Obama was in office, not so much now…) and the fact that I have so many friends who truly are family to me in this area. But similar to other cities, I still worry when my husband goes for a walk at night and pray for his safety. He makes sure he has ID in his pocket in case the police stop him for walking/exercising while black. And he still sees white women cross the street to avoid passing him in broad daylight. So while I see DC as a more progressive city, we certainly have more hills to climb to reach utopia.
I look at DC as a melting pot of black culture. Utopia depends upon factors such as the quality of one’s education, job, inter-personal relationships, and income.
The ethnicity of the neighborhood is not that important.
I’m not sure utopia is the goal, but in today’s world, ethnicity factors into key aspects of one’s quality of life. Safe, equitable and harmonious neighborhoods – that feels like an attainable goal we can be proud of.