So, like many, I have been contemplating the best way to respond to the world events of the last few weeks.

It’s been easy for me to proudly say I stand in solidarity, as a white woman, with the Black Lives Matter movement. It has always been clear to me what side I am on, though I wasn’t sure what my part was or what my next steps were, or what I should say.
I walked into town one day, just planning to go on a walk, and ended up joining a Black Lives Matter protest.  I haven’t felt more alive in a long time.
I listened to and watched the Hello Seven Town Hall, “Reimagining Small Business: A town hall to listen, learn & commit to building equitable, anti-racist organizations,” and proudly took the Anti-Racist Pledge.
From there I understood my next step was to speak up, no matter how imperfectly, and not be afraid of being imperfect, as I so often have been.  Anyone familiar with perfectionism knows we can’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good, and it is often easier said than done. So I have remained silent for way too long.
I attended a virtual workshop by Milagros Phillips, “Healing from Racial Trauma,” where among many important things, she answered an audience member’s question about why this was also something for white people to heal, and I understood part of my role.  To help put that in motion, I proudly signed up to work with her and her organization as a volunteer, to help get her work out to the world- it is so needed.  
Racism is also, like many have said, a problem for white people to solve, not a problem for blacks to speak up about and white people to empathize with. 
I attended several other related meetings with other organizations, all discussing how to heal the racial divide, take social action as an artist, and many other related topics.  As was one of the big takeaways from each of these: This goes way beyond politics!
I discussed personal experiences and feelings around these recent events with other members of the Artist’s Way group I’m a part of, as well as several good friends.
What became the most clear for me, as it has for so many other people, is it is Time to speak up! And I don’t just say this because so many people have said it.  While I believe I am part of a collective of people who are all feeling this, I am also feeling it in my own personal way.
Anyone who has been a part of my journey to become a life coach knows that the Dream analysis is one of my favorite things to practice- on others, as well as on myself.
Through two dream analyses I have done on myself lately, the intuitive messages have also been loud and clear- it is time for me to speak up!
It is not that I’ve arrived at any new learnings that have changed my point of view, but what I can confirm is: my time for sitting on the sidelines is over!
In the past, I have not spoken up as much as I could, or would like to, not because I don’t agree, but because I was afraid to say the wrong thing, or have it come out wrong somehow.  I was also afraid to argue with people who I knew would not agree. I was afraid they would hurt my feelings, or it would get too heated and friendships might get hurt, or worse, be over.
But it’s come to a point where that doesn’t matter anymore. Because how true of a friendship is it, when you aren’t feeling free to show up as yourself in it, and be honest?  And that is what’s become clear: It doesn’t matter what they say, or whether they agree.  What matters is that I have said my truth and not stayed in the corner. It matters that I tell them their point of view isn’t the only one, and definitely not the only important one. it matters that they know we are not in agreement, and the ones I am in agreement know I stand with them.  Not as someone in a dark corner, who’s vaguely back there somewhere. But as someone stepping out into the spotlght, ready to hold the mic. 
I got you.  I’m with you.  And I am ready to do my part to heal the racial divide.