Let Us Not Look Away

LET ME NOT LOOK AWAY, OH GOD
by the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston, Choctaw

“Let me not look away, O God, from any truth I should see. Even if it is difficult, let me face the reality in which I live. I do not want to live inside a cosseted dream, imagining I am the one who is always right, or believing only what I want to hear. Help me to see the world through other eyes, to listen to voices distant and different, to educate myself to the feelings of those with whom I think I have nothing in common. Break the shell of my indifference. Draw me out of my prejudices and show me your wide diversity.

Let me not look away.”

photo of Derek Chauvin kneeling on top of George Floyd next to a photo of
Colin Kaepernick kneeling in silent protest of police brutality against people of color

Derek Chauvin was charged with murder in the third degree and second degree manslaughter for causing the death of George Floyd by placing him in a prone position and pressing a knee against his throat for more than 8 minutes. Chauvin is scheduled to appear in court June 8. Chauvin and Floyd worked security at the same club and may have known each other prior to Floyd’s arrest. Chauvin and 3 other police officers were fired last week. Also, Chauvin’s wife Kellie announced she filed for divorce. 

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman said Friday he expects additional charges will be filed against 3 more officers. Floyd family members held a press conference Sunday in Houston with Rep Sheila Jackson Lee. Afterward Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo expressed sympathy for the family, support for protestors, and said all 4 officers bear responsibility.

Barack and Michelle Obama both released public statements on racism and the death of George Floyd. Biden and Trump each spoke with members of George Floyd’s family. Philonise Floyd, brother of George, said President Trump called him but “didn't give me the opportunity to even speak. It was hard. I was trying to talk to him but he just kept like pushing me off like 'I don’t want to hear what you’re talking about.'”

Protests began in Minneapolis and soon spread nationwide, along with curfews and National Guard deployments, in a perfect storm of unrest.  

• California: Peaceful protests turned violent in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, San Jose, Oakland, and San Francisco. LA Mayor Garcetti asked Gov Newsom to deploy National Guard Saturday night and a state of emergency in Los Angeles County was declared as violence escalated and spread.
• Colorado: Thursday night 13 protestors were arrested and 3 officers were injured in Denver. Peaceful protestors formed alliance with police before tensions escalated Friday night; police used pepper balls and tear gas to disperse crowds. Saturday tear gas was reportedly deployed in Colorado Springs. A large crowd of protestors in Denver laid face down on the Capitol lawn and chanted "I can't breathe."   
• Florida: Protestors gathered outside a Windermere, Orange County home owned by disgraced MN police officer Derek Chauvin Friday even though he was not there; no arrests were made. Saturday a truck drove through a crowd of protestors in Tallahassee; driver in custody, no serious injuries reported. Orlando protestors flooded downtown streets and shut down state road 408. Jacksonville demonstrators staged a non-violent Motorcade Caravan for Justice; later an officer was slashed in neck. Fire, looting and violence were reported in Tampa Bay. Downtown Miami protest went from peaceful to pandemonium. Sarasota protestors called for cancellation of rent payments.
• Georgia: Atlanta protests began peacefully but turned violent when some demonstrators threw rocks and smoke grenades into the lobby of the CNN Center after breaking windows to enter. Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and other leaders denounced violence, urged protestors to return home. Atlanta Police Chief Erika Shields affirmed the right to peaceful protest but condemned lawlessness.  Saturday protests began with a crowd outside the Governor’s mansion and included more demonstrations in downtown Atlanta after curfew. Officer sustained significant injuries after being struck by an ATV. Sunday 2 Atlanta officers were fired for using excessive force. Protestors in Savannah were joined by mayor and police chief; curfew expired Monday morning with no violence reported overnight. Protestors also gathered peacefully in Warner Robbins south of Macon.
• Illinois: Chicago protests were mostly peaceful Friday though a bit chaotic at times. Mayor Lightfoot: “I will code what I really want to say to Donald Trump. It begins with F and ends with you.” The mayor imposed a curfew as tensions escalated Saturday, including a protestor riding a CPD horse through city streets.  
• Indiana: Peaceful Indianapolis protests turned violent late Friday night and early Saturday morning as police used tear gas to manage the crowd. Protesters moved toward the statehouse where nearby restaurant and business storefront windows were broken. Fort Wayne police also used tear gas. Saturday 3 people were shot and 1 died as violence escalated in Indianapolis. Protests in Anderson were peaceful, and mostly peaceful in Terre Haute.   
• Iowa: Following a peaceful rally in Des Moines, some demonstrators refused to disperse. Officers used pepper spray as protestors threw bottles, bricks, rocks and fireworks at officers and business windows. Several arrests were made. Saturday demonstrators clashed with police at the state capitol. Protests remained peaceful in Cedar Rapids and Iowa City.
• Kentucky: Thursday evening a line of white women lined up to form a protective barrier between protestors and police in Louisville. Friday two separate demonstrations remained peaceful until around 9pm. Police fired pepper balls at a local news reporter during live coverage of protests demanding justice for Breonna Taylor and other African Americans killed by law enforcement. There were multiple reports of looting including damage to a news vehicle and several businesses Friday night. Gov Beshear activated the National Guard Saturday as protests continued. Louisville police also requested assistance from KY State Police. A man from Bowling Green was arrested after hitting a protestor in Louisville. Demonstrations in Lexington were peaceful.
• Louisiana: Law enforcement leaders joined demonstrators in New Orleans to condemn the death of George Floyd. During a peaceful protest, some participants demanded TV crews and news photographers not capture the face of any black protesters, fearing retaliation. Groups of white protesters surrounded TV camera operators attempting to film the event, holding up paper signs to obscure their shot. Saturday demonstrators in Marrero blocked a Jefferson Parrish expressway in protest of recent JPSO deputy-involved shooting southwest of New Orleans. Church leaders held a peaceful kneel down demonstration.
• Massachusetts: Peaceful protest turned violent Friday when a few agitators clashed with police outside Boston police station; tear gas was deployed. Organizers denounced the violence Saturday. A separate protest was scheduled Sunday. Demonstrations in Salem and Springfield were peaceful.
• Michigan: A demonstrator in Detroit was killed during a drive by shooting Friday. At least 3 police officers were injured. Nearly two-thirds of the 60 people arrested were from the city’s predominantly white suburbs.  
• Minnesota: A white man was recorded on camera breaking storefront windows at Auto Zone; an early act of violence which led to looting in Minneapolis. Observers believe the man was a provocateur escalating tensions with the intent to start a riot though his identity and political affiliation are unknown. Demonstrators defied curfew set by Mayor Jacob Frey as multiple business and brush fires were set. MN Dept of Public Safety said 350 total law enforcement members were on the ground. AP reported Pentagon prepared to send military police to Twin Cities if asked, a move said to be rare in nature. Friday MN Gov Tim Walz apologized for the arrest of CNN correspondent and person of color Omar Jimenez along with his film crew. White reporter Josh Campbell also was covering protest but was not arrested. Trump and AG Barr accused antifa of agitating violence, but without providing evidence. MN officials are suspicious of outside agitators and are monitoring criminal activities closely. Multiple accounts of white agitators have been shared on social media; right wing extremists are suspected. Police confirmed shooter in East Phillips Park identified as white supremacist. By Saturday law enforcement presence increased significantly. State patrol moved in to guard 5th precinct. All major highways were closed for 8pm curfew. WCCO photographer was hit by rubber bullet, arrested and released. Tear gas, rubber bullets and paint rounds were used to disperse crowds and to sweep residential streets. Police pulled over mysterious vehicles without license plates, found tools of havoc inside. Sunday a man drove a tanker truck into a crowd of protesters and was later charged with assault; no serious injuries were reported. 
• Missouri: Ferguson police department building was damaged and evacuated. At least 50 people were arrested in Kansas City as violence erupted at Country Club Plaza. Protestors gathered peacefully in Springfield and Columbia. Protestors blocked interstate for hours in St. Louis until gunshots dispersed crowds. Police investigating fatal tractor-trailer incident during downtown St. Louis protests. Hundreds gathered peacefully in Clayton.
• Nevada: At least 30 protestors were arrested and 2 officers injured during demonstration that shut down Las Vegas strip Friday. Saturday tear gas was used in Las Vegas. National Guard sent to Reno.
• New York: 70 protesters were taken into custody Thursday. As the 88th precinct and other locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan were under siege, at least 200 were arrested Friday and a dozen NYPD officers injured. Peaceful protests and violent clashes continued Saturday with more than 100 arrests. NYC Mayor Bill deBlasio said a video of an NYPD car driving into a barrier with protesters behind and knocking them over was upsetting. The mayor’s daughter was among those arrested for unlawful assembly Saturday night.
• North Carolina: About 250 protesters gathered Friday in Charlotte outside the Beatties Ford CMPD precinct; police declared the assembly unlawful. Some protesters threw rocks and other objects at officers, damaged police vehicles, and looted a grocery store. CMPD Police Chief Kerr Putney confirmed Charlotte City Council member Braxton Winston was arrested during the protest for failure to disperse; he was seen in the area speaking with both police and protesters. Unrest continued Saturday and Sunday. In Raleigh a peaceful march descended into chaos Saturday followed by riots Sunday. Greensboro protestors peacefully marched from downtown to I-40 where they blocked traffic before returning downtown; violence later erupted overnight. Winston Salem and Forsyth County law enforcement condemned the actions of Derek Chauvin; multiple peaceful demonstrations followed. Peaceful morning protest in Fayetteville turned destructive in the evening with reports of arson, looting and vandalism. Durham and Lumberton protests remained peaceful. NC Gov Roy Cooper affirmed black lives do matter during Sunday press conference. He announced that mayors of Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro and Fayetteville requested support from SBI, State Highway Patrol and National Guard. He also mentioned speaking with George Floyd’s sister Bidgette who lives in Hoke County NC.
• Ohio: Outbreaks of violence marred peaceful protests across the state. Mayor Ginther imposed a curfew as fires were reported in Columbus. Multiple people were arrested in Cincinnati. Police chief in Cleveland said outside instigators were responsible for inciting riots. Gov DeWine activated the National Guard Saturday.
• Oregon: Portland demonstrations included police kneeling in support of protestors despite declaration that civil disturbances are unlawful assembly.
• South Carolina: Columbia and Charleston issued a curfew after protests turned violent Saturday. Peaceful protests were held in Greenville and Spartanburg.
• South Dakota: George Floyd’s cousin spoke out during Rapid City memory walk.
• Pennsylvania: 100+ people were arrested Saturday and a reporter was arrested Sunday in Philadelphia. Officers were injured and patrol cars were damaged in Harrisburg. Multiple arrests were reported in Pittsburgh. Protest in Erie became a riot. Lehigh Valley protests remained peaceful. Gov Tom Wolf signed a disaster emergency declaration as curfews were issued in multiple cities.
• Texas: Gov Abbott activated the National Guard Saturday. Dozens were arrested in Dallas for rioting. Also, a man was attacked after he confronted protestors with a machete. Protesters gathered in Austin to call for justice for George Floyd and Michael Ramos. The home town of Floyd’s family saw intense violence as Police Chief Art Acevedo and Mayor Sylvester Turner pleaded for calm in Houston after 12-hour protest Friday when 8 police officers were injured, 16 patrol cars were damaged, businesses were vandalized, and 137 people were arrested, mostly for blocking highways. Saturday a mounted patrol officer trampled a protester. San Antonio police used tear gas as vandalism spread following peaceful protests.
• Virginia: Police in Richmond fired tear gas intermittently as vandalism escalated and dumpster fires were set. Police chief in Petersburg stood alongside peaceful demonstrators.  
• Washington: Destruction and violence marred protests in Seattle as police used flash bangs to disorient crowds amid the chaos. Mayor Jenny Durkan set a 5pm curfew for the weekend. Gov Jay Inslee activated unarmed National Guard troops for the next seven days at the request of the city. King County declared a state of emergency.  
• Washington DC: White House was briefly locked down Friday as Trump took shelter in a bunker; #BunkerTrump, #BunkerPresident, #BunkerBoy, and #BunkerDon later trended. Saturday police and armored secret service formed a barricade outside the White House as Trump returned from FL SpaceX launch. Protesters overcame barriers to enter park in front of White House but were driven out by police wielding shields, batons and pepper spray. National Guard was called out as pockets of violence erupted. Multiple officers were injured and at least 6 protestors were arrested. Some monuments near the National Mall were defaced; 17 people arrested. Historic St Johns Episcopal Church was set on fire.
• 4,000+ arrested across US amid civil unrest following George Floyd’s death.
• Anonymous hackers crashed Minneapolis website and Chicago police radios.
• Bus drivers and their union orgs in MN and NY refused to assist police with transportation.
• Citizens, celebrities, politicians, and pundits shared social media posts honoring black lives and/or criticizing Trump for his response to the protests.  
• Colin Kaepernick launched Know Your Rights Camp Legal Defense Initiative to pay legal fees for protesters arrested in Minneapolis. Contributions to the Minnesota Freedom Fund also were announced. 
• Journalists covering protests were assaulted and arrested, some allegedly targeted.  
• Police across the country demonstrated support for protestors, including NC law enforcement leaders.
• Stores including Apple, CVS, Target and Walmart temporarily closed amid the threat of riots. 

10 Reasons to Support Black Lives Matter  

Trump tweeted ‘when the looting starts, the shooting starts’ which was a phrase used by Miami police Chief Walter Headley and segregationist George Wallace during civil unrest in the late 1960s. The official White House Twitter account was flagged with a warning after retweeting Trump's message glorifying violence. Controversial Trump tweets continued unabated, despite the disclaimer. 

#TrumpResignNow trended worldwide Saturday. Global demonstrations and Black Lives Matter vigils followed in Canada, Germany, Italy, Iran, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK in cities including London, Berlin, Toronto, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Ordinary citizens in several countries, as well as world leaders, spoke out. International coverage was led by Al Jazeera and the BBC. China called racial discrimination in the US a social ill while Chinese media used the racial unrest to criticize the US over Hong Kong.

Daily pandemic update:  

• US President Donald Trump announced the US was "terminating" its relationship with the WHO, saying the agency has not made coronavirus reforms.
• Latin America's death toll surged past the 50,000 mark and cases neared one million, with countries such as Brazil, Chile, Mexico and Peru struggling to stem the tide.
• In the UK, a third member of a scientific advisory body to the government warned that it is too soon to lift the COVID-19 lockdown because the test and trace system was not yet fully operational.
• Moscow has partially eased a tough lockdown regime following a fall in novel coronavirus cases for the first time in nine weeks. 
• Greece also has lifted lockdown restrictions for hotels, open-air cinemas, golf courses and public swimming pools.

Aljazeera.com timeline

1 June 2020	Cases		Deaths		Recovered
12:27 GMT*	Fri 5/29	Mon 6/1	Fri 5/29	Mon 6/1	Fri 5/29	Mon 6/1
World	5,923,217	6,291,969	362,393	374,369	2,592,758	2,862,634
US	1,768,461	1,837,830	103,330	106,208	498,725	599,875
NY	376,309	379,902	29,653	29,918	65,689	66,603
CT	41,559	42,201	3,826	3,944	6,622	7,511
NC	25,720	28,784	867	937	14,954	14,954

A moment of silence for those we’ve lost to coronavirus, including the first 100 and the first 100,000 in the US.

As of today 15% of closed cases in the US resulted in death; 85% recovered.

Globally 12% of closed cases resulted in death worldwide; 88% recovered.

Currently 2% of all active cases are considered serious or critical.

*Documenting time of day because real time data updates continuously.
Tracking specific states:  NY is US epicenter. Son Reid lives in CT. I live in NC. 
Worldometers     Coronainusa     Starsexpress2020     https://ncov2019.live/

In other news:

• Biden visited Black Lives Matter protest site in Delaware.
• Businesses have begun posting disclaimers or requiring customers and employees to sign waivers in attempt to limit legal liability for the spread of coronavirus.
• Charlotte NC is now 15th most populous city in US, surpassing San Francisco.
• Facebook employees are upset over Zuckerberg’s decision to allow Trump’s controversial posts.
• FBI's top lawyer, Dana Boente, is stepping down following criticism from conservative commentators over his role in Russia investigation.
• FL Aventura Mall shooting sparked by argument between shoppers; 2 arrested, 2 hospitalized.
• Global stocks rose as investors shrugged off US-China tensions. Gun related companies and American Outdoor Brands saw gains amid civil unrest. 
• Health experts and state leaders expressed concerns about coronavirus spread during mass protests.
• KY protestor who hung effigy of Gov Andy Beshear was fired by employer. 
• MI dam failure to be investigated after dam owners ignored federal regulators. Boyce Hydro co-owner Lee Mueller is an ardent Trump supporter. 
• MN politics are at risk of upheaval due to racial tensions. Also, Amy Klobuchar’s history as a prosecutor is under heightened scrutiny, dimming her prospects of becoming Joe Biden’s VP nominee.
• MS mayor is resisting calls for resignation after saying “if you can talk, you can breathe.”
• Monkeys in India escaped from a lab with COVID-19 samples after attacking a lab assistant.
  NOTE: This real news story is eerily similar to the plot from Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
• PA GOP was criticized after Rep Andrew Lewis tested positive for coronavirus but still went into the legislature, exposing everyone and hiding info from democrats.
• SpaceX made history Saturday launching astronauts into space in privately built Crew Dragon capsule atop a Falcon 9 rocket. After a 19 hour ride, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley reached the International Space Station 10 minutes ahead of schedule Sunday morning. Trump took credit for NASA-SpaceX collaboration, failing to acknowledge Bush 43 and Obama administrations.   
• Stimulus checks issued as pre-paid debit cards mailed in plain envelopes have been mistakenly thrown away.
• Trump announced decision to terminate US relationship with World Health Organization.  
• Trump bragged he passed Veterans Choice program approved by Obama in 2014.
• Trump invoked in connection with 54 criminal cases of violence, threats, alleged assaults.
• VA decriminalized marijuana; possession no longer a crime beginning July 1.
• Venezuela failed coup investigation linked Trump and Pompeo to ex-Green Beret Jordan Goudreau, mercenary Luke Denman, and Trump’s longtime personal bodyguard Keith Schiller who also served as director of Oval Office operations.

Following Kenny Beck’s lead to share a few signs of hope:

• MasksNowNC provided Masks4Farmerworkers; 400 masks were distributed in Bladen, Pender, South Duplin, and South Sampson counties.  
• MD man posts daily bad dad jokes in front yard to cope with stress.
• Plastic bubble brings joy to French nursing home.

In my personal life…

Over the weekend as unrest grew across the nation, I struggled to process my feelings and thoughts about a group of friends. Thursday we had chatted a bit about George Floyd and NC politics during a weekly Zoom. Hours later some of the women emailed to say they would rather have used the time to check in with one another personally instead of discussing politics, protests or coronavirus. I empathize with their desire to limit depressing topics. And I agree with them that now more than ever we need to support one another in simple and small ways like sharing information about our children, grandchildren, hobbies, pets, partners and book club suggestions. Those are good conversations to have, always. With much of the world in crisis right now, a lot of people feel overwhelmed by negativity. Limiting discussion of current events and news is a valid coping mechanism during these intensely stressful times so I try not to judge folks for it. However, I crave deeper dives about difficult subjects. I always have, and especially so now. Fortunately I have a few friends willing to tackle tough topics along with me, and I’m making new connections online. Still, it saddens me to feel I’m drifting away from people I care about. Most of my Greensboro friends are 20+ years older than me so perhaps age is one reason we aren’t in sync though I suspect it is more than that. Most of them are moderate democrats; I’m a progressive independent. They tend to read fiction; I prefer biographies and historical fiction when I take time to read for pleasure which isn’t often. We have more in common than not, but small differences separate us sometimes. I enjoy their company and appreciate their perspectives yet I don’t think this group is my tribe. The group is whole without me; my presence or absence is irrelevant. I will miss them if I don’t check in next week. My heart is heavy with that realization. I feel so different from the mainstream. I don’t know if more people like me exist; apparently not in North Carolina, and certainly not in Pfafftown. I think I will probably join the Zoom Thursday but I still feel conflicted about it, not at peace.

Greg and I binged Space Force on Netflix together Friday, which was a welcome relief since I wasn’t feeling well emotionally or physically. We thought the series was laugh out loud funny so I texted Reid to tell him. He responded that he didn’t like the first episode but would try watching again since I liked it so much. Later Greg noticed a recruitment commercial for the real life Space Force on his computer and shared it with me; almost as entertaining as the Steve Carell comedy. He also shared some MSN satirical cartoons with me.

Saturday began with emails between friends, included lots of reading about and watching of protest videos, and ended with writing.

Sunday afternoon I took a break to relax in my hammock. The weather was lovely so Minerva spent part of the day in her outdoor kennel. Son Reid texted photos of his dad’s lake house in West Hartford CT. I texted my brother Randy to check in and we talked on the phone for about an hour.   

For breakfast Friday I ate cereal, the last remaining flakes from a box of Special K. We had guacamole and chips for lunch, then Greg used left over pork tenderloin to make pork fried rice for dinner. Saturday I made deviled eggs for brunch. Greg ordered a few more groceries, delivered by Lauren who wore a mask but placed bags at our front door instead of side patio as requested, bless her heart. It’s a small house so Greg didn’t have to walk far to bring the supplies into the kitchen. He was trying to get a few things he forgot the day before but a third of what he ordered was not available. Greg baked a yellow cake with milk chocolate icing and we ate large pieces for lunch. Later he ordered Marco’s pizza for dinner. Sunday we drank hazelnut coffee and ate bacon with left over deviled eggs for brunch. We had leftover pizza and salad for dinner.

My daily action for racial justice Saturday was intended to be compiling a comprehensive reading list. Lots of excellent books have been suggested online recently so I want to copy and paste recommendations into a single list, alphabetize it, then search Libby for available library books I can read at no cost. That didn’t happen. I was too engrossed in the protests to work on the book list much. This goal is simply going to have to wait a while longer.

My daily action for racial justice Sunday was to continue working on this blog entry so I could post it and share it widely Monday. Also, Greg and I discussed the protests candidly. He told me the looters and rioters diminished the efforts of the Black Lives Matter protests compared to the restraint shown by armed white protestors in Michigan a few weeks ago. I responded that I agreed the optics were unfortunate, and then I shared 3 points from my perspective:  

1) Most BLM demonstrations are indeed peaceful; the violent acts of a few are mistakenly attributed to all. Greg said this was akin to one bad apple spoiling an entire barrel. We talked about that a bit more. We agreed about the importance of peaceful civil disobedience and agreed we are both concerned about conservative leaning friends and family who are likely biased against the BLM movement. 

2) Some protest organizers may not be prepared to manage large crowds effectively, or may not have structured their events to end on a positive note of inspiration instead of anger. There is much to be angry about. However, messages of hope and change encouraging positive action steps like voting, registering friends and strangers to vote, volunteering in neglected communities, etc. are more productive than merely riling people up without offering proactive outlets to express frustrations and channel pent up negative energy. Nothing good happens after 2am is a popular phrase, though I’m inclined to believe protests are best ended much earlier. At least 39 cities and counties in 21 states have issued curfews recently, with mixed results. 

3) There is evidence of outside provocateurs infiltrating some protests. Conservatives allege troublemakers are militant left wing anti-fascist Antifa while liberals and others contend agitators are more likely right wing extremists, white nationalist accelerationists, boogaloo, and anarchists. Investigations are ongoing so more information and insight hopefully will become available soon.  

The Greensboro NC protest is one example of many that began peacefully before turning violent hours later. Organizers and participants were mostly young people, mostly black and brown though whites were included. There was lots of chanting and some cursing too but it was more organized than not with scheduled stops at intervals along a designated route. I watched online and was shocked to see Gate City Blvd closed as people marched away from downtown. I didn’t know where they were going until they shut down traffic on I-40. Unbeknownst to me, NCDOT had sent out an alert about the closing and police blocked roads and rerouted traffic in the interest of public safety. I was simultaneously worried and impressed by such a bold move as events unfolded. Crowds eventually dispersed without incident and returned downtown by bus to continue their peaceful demonstration near the International Civil Rights Center & Museum. I went to sleep thinking the protest had been successful and I felt proud of Greensboro, content with the knowledge both the protestors and the police officers working the event behaved responsibly.

Sunday I learned violence had erupted downtown overnight. At least 19 businesses were damaged with debris scattered widely. At some point a few people began throwing rocks at police while a car owned by a protestor was vandalized. A group of protestors tried to stop the violence but to no avail. Police equipped themselves with riot gear and used pepper spray in response. When a window was broken at the museum, a group of protesters gathered around it protectively and declared they did not break it. It's unconfirmed at this time how the window was broken and who was responsible.

Older African Americans and community leaders were largely absent from the demonstrations in Greensboro Saturday. They had discouraged participation through social networks earlier in the day. Perhaps the pandemic contributed to their cautious stance. Maybe after watching other cities in distress they sensed the risk of lighting a local tinder box outweighed the potential good of igniting passionate civil disobedience.

Along with debris clean up, emotional recovery is now underway -- for all of us whether we marched or not. My heart was heavy over the weekend yet I am still hopeful for change, for healing, for reconciliation.

My daily action for racial justice Monday is to share this blog post as widely as possible. I don’t expect what I’ve written to make a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but maybe it will resonate with someone somewhere. Or not. I won’t know if I don’t at least try.

If you feel inclined, please share on social media and/or send an email to family and friends. It’s a loooooong post so maybe share the direct link (https://pfafftowncoronachronicles.blogspot.com/2020/06/let-us-not-look-away.html) and/or copy and paste a specific excerpt. Maybe leave a comment below to let me know what you think, good or bad or indifferent. No pressure. There is no curse of bad luck if you choose not to.

If nothing else, please have a conversation about race with someone in your life. Invite someone to share their feelings and thoughts with you, and listen to them intently without interrupting. Tell someone how you’re feeling and what you’re thinking. There’s no pressure to fix anything in a single conversation. Just take a moment to connect with another human being today, without judgment or any attempt to convert them to your way of thinking. Just breathe and connect and listen. Afterward hopefully we can begin to heal, individually and collectively. Hopefully sooner than later. That is all. Please and thank you.