Dear Cary Library Patrons,

I am sending you my love. Things feel rather bleak right now, don't they? We, as a nation, are on a path that has the ability to truly change our nation. The death of George Floyd was not a singular event. It was the tipping point in a series of injustices that have gone on for too long. Many of us are grasping to make sense, to understand, to take action, and to educate ourselves for a brighter future, and I believe that we can do it. The future, however distant, has the ability to outshine all of the heartaches of our present.

As a Southern Black woman living in New England, I have had many conversations around race and I know that many believe that issues of racism are predominately relegated to the south. I want to tell you that this is not true. I have experienced various forms of racism in Massachusetts from small microaggressions about my hair/clothing/way of speaking to larger moments of blatant aggression meant to intimidate me. Some of which happened here in Lexington as well.

I tell you this only to remind you that no single part of our country is unaffected by the stories being told today. It is also important for me to tell you that is just my story, and not the story of all black people. It may ring true of many in our community, but the beauty of our world is that our stories are as varied as our people. Seek out as many Black voices as you are able. As Angela Davis said, "it is not enough to be non-racist, we must be antiracist." We all have the ability to educate ourselves and make the world brighter for future generations, myself included! I look forward to doing this work together. It won't be easy, and we will make mistakes. That's okay! Making mistakes is how we learn and grow.

Wondering how to get started? An easy first step is to pay attention to the media that you intake. How much of it is created by people of color? If the none or few, this is a great time to start adding more!

Together with fellow Cary librarians, we've curated a few lists of things to help get you thinking and acting on this journey. Things for you to read, watch, listen to, and act upon. Making change starts early so don't be afraid to have these conversations with your children as well. Know that we are here to help you find new resources to better bring us forward to that brighter future we all dream of.

Wishing you peace and hope,

India Winslow

Youth Services Librarian