Let There Be Peace On Earth

And let it begin with us.

I wrote a completely different newsletter for all of you, but changed course in light of where we find ourselves today. The suffering and rage expressed about the state of racism and police brutality is crippling. Rather than add another voice to this chorus, I thought I would share a few items that have helped in the past few days.

I hope you will join in this deep work.

Things I’m Reading:

A smart deep dive on anti-racism resources and steps you can take to take positive action.

Roxane Gay on COVID, community, and black lives. “Eventually doctors will find a coronavirus vaccine, but black people will continue to wait for a cure for racism.”

"Me and White Supremacy," by Layla F. Saad. I am about to begin and ordered it from Washington Heights’ very own Word Up Books, a non-profit and volunteer community bookstore. Support them, won’t you?

Black Perspectives, a source of research and black thought leadership recommended by friend and mentor Ruth Ann Harnish.

10 Steps to Non-Optical Allyship by Mireille Cassandra Harper. Don’t know what that means? Latham Thomas coined it and explained the term here in 2018.

“White Debt: Reckoning with what is owed - and what can never be repaid - for racial privilege.”

Things I Have My Eye On:

This crowd-sourced Google doc of bail and legal funds throughout multiple cities.

What I Wish For You:

My mother used to cry while singing this in church. Now I tear up when I hear it. Let it begin with US.

Let there be peace on Earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on Earth
The peace that was meant to be

With god as our father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me

Songwriters: Jill Jackson / Sy Miller