Six days ago, I posted a blog post about how my orientation to time has shifted as I have gone through the process of surgery for a new aortic root and valve. It felt uncomfortable and I could not stop thinking about it. My discomfort was not because what I wrote was not authentically me. My discomfort came not from what I said, but rather what I left unsaid. And what kept me quiet about my thoughts and emotions? It was probably my belief that this space must be kept safe for all who struggle with cancer and other challenges in life. And if I am totally honest, fear kept me silent. I am afraid of the backlash. Not losing readers, but reading comments that are dismissive or hateful. But i know that if I am to live the authentic life I preach about in this blog, I must step up and show up. So here goes…

I believe that all human life matters. Full stop. No conditions. Because I believe this, I am horrified by what is happening in our country right now. I feel deep sadness about the murder of people by ICE. And on a deeper level, I am distressed by what these killings and the work of ICE represents. It is the total dehumanizing of humans that has me tossing and turning in bed at night. It is the language that expresses a “less than” image when discussing immigrants, people of color, people of non-Christian faiths, and people from the LGBT community. It is the message that individuals in these groups do not deserve the constitutional rights of due process.

One thing that triggers my deepest despair is that this dehumanizing language and behavior is being done in the name of being morally right. As a Christian, I am abhorred when people use their beliefs about God to justify cruelty and oppression. My relationship with God is of a loving creator and a divine spirit who loves and cares for every one of his children. I cannot believe the moral exclusion that exists in our country today is what God wants for his people.

So what am I doing with this despair? I have not been able to protest since last summer because of my fragile health. Instead, I educate myself about the policies that enable this to happen. I focus on advocating for policies, budgets, and legislation that will address the growing damage inflicted by ICE on our communities. I communicate with legislators and sign petitions that want this to end and I encourage others to do the same. I boycott businesses that support ICE and the president and I participate in economic blackouts. And I am using this platform to communicate about these issues. I will not stay small or quiet because the war is not on my doorstep. I will not stay small or quiet because I carry white privilege. This is me finding my voice and using it. My wish is that all of you will find your voice and use it however you can to make this country and this world a kinder, more inclusive, more respectful place.