Beloved Community,
We are in a painful, potent moment. Systems of racism, inequity and oppression in place for hundreds of years are beginning to unravel. Will we tilt toward domination, repression and tyranny? Or toward an active, intentional dismantling of structures built hundreds of years ago based on hatred and injustice?
At the heart of Buddhist teaching is the understanding that suffering and the proliferation of harm are not rooted in evil, but in ignorance. To meet this moment asks us to turn and face our collective karma: the truth that our country was built on the genocide of Native Americans, the original sin of slavery, and the ways racism has shape-shifted over the past 400 years—from Jim Crow and lynching terrorism, to the war on drugs and militarization of the police, to the pandemic of mass incarceration and the murder of black and brown bodies.
Some days things seem to be moving toward real change. Other times it feels as if we are mired in the same old muck. It is not clear yet which way it will go. Sometimes I let myself slip into cynicism or despair. But more often I am buoyed by voices and experiences that help me remember: this is a fresh, living moment. We have never been
here
before. Thousands of people across the globe—spanning generation and race and culture—coming together to demand something new.
Last week at 7:55pm, I was scurrying home from an evening walk, trying to reach my door before the 8:00pm curfew in San Francisco. Suddenly a chorus of police sirens pierced the air. A small crowd gathered as a dozen uniformed officers in riot gear—body armor, face visors, helmets, guns and batons—leapt from their vehicles and pinned two brown men to the ground, pulling their limp arms behind their backs and cuffing their wrists.
One after another, hands in the crowd reached into pockets, purses and backpacks and emerged with cell phones. A sea of arms lifted the phones up toward the night sky, angling to record the scene, to bear witness. A woman in a second story apartment across the street leaned out her window with an iPad. Dozens of hands and eyes tracking, making sure they all knew: we are watching.
This would not have happened a year ago, probably not even a month ago. Had this scene unfolded then, frightened bodies would have scattered, pulling dogs-on-leashes and dragging babies-in-carriages out of harm’s way. But this time the crowd of bystanders refused to look away. This time we stood firm in our “no:” no to police brutality; no to business as usual; no justice, no peace. And we stood, unmoving, affirming our “yes.” Yes, we are paying attention. Yes, Black Lives Matter. Yes, we care.
No one knows how this story will unfold. But we do know that we can continue to stand together. To look and listen and learn. To speak and act. To commit to untangling our individual and collective ignorance by refusing to turn away.
Warmly,
Pam
