Black Lives, Black Grief and Self Care

by Dominique DiPrima

As the world watches George Floyd being laid to rest …protests continue from coast to coast and globally. It is a powerful groundswell for change and unity. There is rage at the killing of another unarmed Black man by police…Hope at the promise of actual transformation, not just more lip service…And there is grief… for the agony of Floyd’s family, for the anguish so many of us have felt at the hands of racism and police violence, and for all of the Black lives stolen, disregarded, destroyed. So this day is at once intensely political and deeply personal. Let’s honor both. As we march, organize and fight, let’s remember to take a moment to breathe, and cry and look inside. A nation that is truly safe for Black people is a place where we are free to process our emotions and not expect ourselves to be superhuman or perfect. Let’s tend to our mental health. Let’s be a little kinder to ourselves and to our children today. Let’s turn to mindfulness, art, music and prayer and allow ourselves the space to be whole, or broken or on the mend – to be gentle and loving with the fullness of our humanity.

As Stevie Wonder said “…keep on trying ‘til I reach my highest ground.”