Aboriginal Flag at half mast on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge for National Sorry Day. Image by my friend Jazlie Davis Grygoruk

As a person who has privilege simply because of the color of my skin, it’s all too easy to not understand the pain and reality of others who are different from me. It’s all too easy to not just sit and listen, to assume it should be easy for people to just move on and get over things.

The reality is that because of my privileged perspective, I can’t actually see clearly the perspective of another unless I deliberately and intentionally look. And then, so very often, what I realize is that I’m demanding that they assimilate to my way of thinking & operating rather than just sitting in the pain with them.

Today in Australia it was #NationalSorryDay – it’s interesting how easy it is to post abundantly about other more sexy & remote causes but when it comes to something in our own backyard that we would really ned to take the time to consider, so many of us stay silent.

I believe this is because we genuinely don’t know what to do and it’s easier to look away rather than sit in the pain and brokenness with our indigenous brothers and sisters for a little bit.

(An estimated 50,000 children were taken from their families over a 60 year period up until as recently as the 1970’s…no matter how much we expect people to just move on…this is the reality for an entire culture)

I’m learning that I need to learn how to see and feel the pain of another, that this does not come naturally & I have to be intentional about it. And that I need to use my privilege and influence for solidarity & for speaking out because the reality still, is that my voice is more likely to be listened to.

Truthfully it would be easy to let this day pass without an acknowledgment or with mere lip service, but I’m challenged about my own response and understanding of what this day represents and the healing that is still necessary.

#Repost @jazlie ・・・
Acknowledging the confusion and sadness inflicted on stolen children and the deep endless sorrow of a mother and father’s empty arms. A reality in my family history, a reality in or country’s history. #nationalsorryday