A little over a week ago there was a news story in Lafayette that made headlines and earned a spot on SNL. When the news broke I found myself first in confusion (like how are we even here) then I felt sad, hurt, disgusted, devastated, and really angry. Here we are – folks are barely allowed outside without masks AND it is the first holiday season for most of us in over a year where we get to see family we likely didn’t see last year. It is a celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth, right? Some of us find it hard to believe that we are making national news for such disgraceful behavior, after all, Lafayette was once named the happiest city in the US. An elected official – a judge – decided to not only use a terrible racial slur, but she refused to acknowledge the harm in its use. As a pharmacist, I am certain racism isn’t a side effect of any drug. I will admit initially the thought crossed my mind that this just isn’t the place for us to raise our child. I haven’t written that out in a long time, but whew that was hard. I guess thinking it feels different, but writing it out makes it real. We are faithful that God’s plan is in fact for us to be here. The lesson in this is that we (as a family) cannot trust God AND worry about His plan for us. Until God’s plan changes, we will remain faithful here in Lafayette with our daughter Evangeline.
Action Over Anger
We choose to be deliberate in our actions regarding all things – especially the things affecting us as black people. Our home is a cultivation of how we want our daughter to not only view us, but to view, believe in, and treat others. We want to raise her to have a love for God, her community, her neighbors, and the least of those among us. As Christians, we know and believe in God’s love through his mercy and grace. Mercy – not giving a person the punishment they deserve; OR forgiving or showing compassion to someone when you may want to punish or harm them. Whew. A lot. It really isn’t our job to determine someone’s consequences for their actions. God works that out. The quote/scripture that has been on my heart this past year is “There but for the Grace of God go I” (derived from 1 Corinthians 15:10). Holding on to pain actually produces further pain. It prolongs the pain. It invokes a constant response to the offense rather than moving on and healing from it. It ultimately distracts from the work – fostering radical empathy. It does not create a space to contribute to the greater good. Our children notice our responses, and I believe we are responsible for teaching our children a better way to respond. We decided (after being really really angry) that ultimately we would use our pain for a greater good.
Creating Solutions
My daughter’s birthday is coming up this year. She enjoys reading and learning. Our response to the painful display of racism in two ways this year. We will be starting an endowment in our daughter’s name through the Lafayette Public Library Foundation (starting one only costs $100). We will also contribute to early childhood education (we have not yet chosen the best way to do so) in Lafayette and Acadiana. I believe we will be donating books in Evie’s name along with donating to the little free libraries around town. The Lafayette Public Library offers so many different programs that help all of us in Acadiana – what city have you ever been to without a library open on Sundays?
I’ll finish with this: To whom much is given, much is required – Luke 12:48. I plan on creating the Lafayette my daughter deserves to live in (not just for her, but for all of us).
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