THE WAY FORWARD: "As a black man, I take tremendous pride in belonging to a group that epitomizes courage, perseverance, and faith. In looking back towards our past, I am propelled to create a brighter future.".

• Author: Taylor, Michael
• Position: LIFE IN AMERICA

LET ME BEGIN by acknowledging the reality that this country still has a way to go in regards to race relations. I have spent countless hours mourning the black men and women who have had their lives tragically cut short. My soul is filled with sorrow for the families who have lost loved ones and then watched the perpetrators walk away free and clear. My heart breaks every time a young black person has to see these tragedies and then live in fear that he or she could be next. Like so many black people in this country I am tired, frustrated, and saddened by the unnecessary loss of life.

That being said, I remain optimistic. First and foremost, I believe in a power greater than myself. Though we may not fully understand it, there is a Divine order in everything.

The George Floyd incident cracked open the emotions of America in a way that will usher in a new conversation about race in this country. As I have watched the Black Lives Matter protests span around the globe, and watched people of all ethnicities, religions, and ages come together to bring awareness of the systemic racism that still is so prevalent in our country, I am filled with hope and optimism.

Something feels different--it is palpable, inspiring, and exciting. There has been a shift in the collective consciousness of white people, and now that it has occurred, things will continue to change for the better. It will not happen overnight but, rest assured, things truly are going to change.

When former San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick first begin his peaceful protest, I knew it would not be accepted until white people joined in. The fact that NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell finally has admitted the league was wrong for not listening at the beginning of the protests speaks volumes to the direction we are heading.

Secondly, as I think about all of the adversities we have faced as black people, including slavery, racism, and discrimination, I am filled with pride with our resiliency and ability to overcome. As a black man, I take tremendous pride in belonging to a group that epitomizes courage, perseverance, and faith. In looking back towards our past, I am propelled to create a brighter future. *

Michael Taylor is a life coach and author of Shattering Black Male Stereotypes: Eradicating the 10 Most Destructive Media Generated Illusions About Black Men.

BY MICHAEL TAYLOR

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