I just didn't know...

On Monday evening, I posted a happy, celebratory story on social media, about a painting I had just finished and was excited to share.

On Tuesday, my daughter said, "Mom, you might want to hold off a day or two with your promotion, because of Blackout Tuesday.” 

It was to be a day of quiet reflection, in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.

​I apologize.  I just didn't know.

I grew up in the 60's and 70's in white suburbia.  I was taught to fear those with dark skin.  Heard words of disrespect, and terms I am embarrassed to recall.

I just didn't know.

I had privilege as a white woman.  Did I say "had"?  Change that word to "have."  

I just didn't know.

So now, it has all been magnified, and I do know.

So what.

No.
​
Change the inflection in that statement. 

​SO WHAT do I do, now that I know?

It is said knowledge is power.  But I'm not looking for power.

I want to know how to show love more deeply.  To show compassion more widely.  To help stop the madness, because I can no longer say "I just didn't know."  Because now I do.  Now we do.

And the question we all must ponder deep, deep in our heart becomes "What will I do differently, now that I know?"