The Work Inside Our Home

While this personal blog was never intended to serve as a news outlet or a platform to discuss social issues, I do  feel compelled to share a little bit of what’s been on my heart. I’ve written and re-written this post a million times over the past week and have realized that there is no perfect set of words that will accomplish what we as a people need to do. If there were ever a time where words alone are not sufficient, this is it. I don’t have the answers on how to end systemic racism in our country. And as a privileged white woman, I can’t begin to understand or even speculate what it feels like to be Black in America today.

Just four years ago in Charlotte, we witnessed the tragic death of Keith Lamont Scott. And now we have witnessed the senseless killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and many others whose names we do not know. These horrific events have forced me to unpack my white privilege, excavate some deep seeded unconscious biases, and have uncomfortable but important conversations with loved ones and family. We’ve also been listening to Black voices, educating ourselves on how to do better, donating to organizations, signing petitions and praying for our nation.

While there are many important things all of us can do right now to move the needle in closing the racial gap, effectuating real and lasting change begins in our hearts and homes. As parents, we have the responsibility not to shy away from difficult conversations, to educate ourselves and to model anti-racist behaviors for our babies. From an early age our kids start to mimic our actions, what we say, how we behave, and how we respond to events, whether we intend it or not. Our words and everyday actions are laying the groundwork and influencing their thoughts about race and how to treat others.

Admittedly, Matt and I have realized that teaching our kids to be kind to and love everyone is not enough. We debated and struggled with how to talk to Thomas and Caroline about injustice, racism and protests. And while our approach has definitely not been perfect (we lost Thomas within 2 minutes), I want this community to know that the Marcellino family is committed to ongoing conversations, continued learning, growing and doing the work within our home to raise our kids to be better than this world now. Black lives matter to us.

Be the light for all to see. — Matthew 5:16

photo credit: @ohhappydani