ist

When my daughter was in junior high she used to make up ists, that's colorist, that's weightist. She got that people are judgmental about differences and it flooded her language. She did this because, in moving from Maine, racism was so prevalent to her. She wasn't used to people being that way towards others, so instead of ostracizing herself as different she made up new isms or ists which made people laugh, but also made them talk about the real ones.

Ferguson is sad and it touches each and every parents fear of having a child die before you. It touches all of our humanity. We all still need to talk about a system that reinforces these attitudes against young black men. Maybe by discovering what we have in common is the place to start.

I have been going down to the market just a couple of blocks away from the church to talk with the men and women who show up at the lunch hour. We sit around and talk. Since I have established a relationship with the regulars there has been dialogue that has happened. Everything from what do you do to talks about racism in our town, about sin, about being in touch with stories I have never heard before. There are powerful times there of honesty and openness. It is a part of where there is the possibility of healing and establishing trust. It is a sacred place. I hope we are all engaging these places and find our own sacred space.