Courage over comfort

We stand at a historic moment where we have a choice: continue to support the status quo out of our own comfort, or find the courage to challenge and dismantle the systems that have perpetuated racism in our society. As a white person, I have slowly come to recognize the immense privilege that comes with my race.

One form of that privilege is remaining neutral in the fight for justice. It is much easier to ignore the calls from communities of color to confront symbols, words, actions, and policies that legitimize their pain and suffering. Another form of that privilege is not confronting one’s own racism. I know I have harmed or allowed harm inadvertently and may do so again.

Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better.” It is time for us to know better, so we can do better. It is time to listen, learn, and change. Change must happen and it starts with small, inconvenient, uncomfortable acts including confronting one’s racial privilege and embracing the reality that communities of color have valid, urgent arguments about how broken our systems are. It is time to look deep within ourselves and choose courage over comfort.

Pat Segadelli

Liberty Lake