Can Racism Be Solved Through Friendship?

Recently I have had the honor of sitting at a table with a diverse group of women for the sole purpose of talking about racism, culture, privilege, and reconciliation.

These words within the last year have filled social media posts and fueled worldwide-trending hashtags.

So a few of us gathered at a table to listen to each other’s stories, learn how these words affect us, and how can we personally and collectively heal, stand for justice, and live in peace.

As the headlines and viral news videos tell stories of beatings, deaths, riots, and protests, it can be overwhelming to know not only how to process the information and experiences there but how to find hope and peace in the midst of everything.

When I sit at the table with these women it doesn’t solve racism.

It doesn’t change discrimination or put an end to ignorance, but as we talk and get to know each other, it changes us.

As we listen to each other, look into each other’s eyes, view the beauty of each other’s various skin tones, our biases and prejudices are forced to change. Through our time at the table, we learn to really see and hear each other, to empathize with each other’s experiences, to admit what we don’t know or don’t understand, to humble ourselves.

Ignorance, prejudice, and many societal ills in our world can begin to change through relationship. Storyline Blog