ALONG COMES MARY

So, it’s been a while since my last post. At the end of May, I was typing away at several stories that I was excited to soon share. I’d received such positive feedback from my posts about our current state of the world and living in a pandemic. Not ideal, but I was making it work and keeping busy despite pining for some canceled trips.

Then, we were all brutally reminded of the racial injustice that plagues our country. Names like George Floyd and Breonna Taylor became household names. I felt helpless. As a very privileged Caucasian woman, I felt ashamed to post about my adventures. Alas, Along Comes Mary went silent while I took to Instagram to share my outrage and helplessness.

It was comforting to see so many like-minded people share my sadness and concerns, and how eye-opening to discover just how much in a “bubble” many choose to stay in. I got blocked from people I thought were friends, received some nasty private messages, read through numerous passive-aggressive comments like “all lives matter,” and saw my Instagram numbers plummet.

The biggest shock and takeaway for me, was simply: How am I a bad person for wanting to stand up for what’s RIGHT? Why are so many triggered at the thought or mere mention of Black Lives Matter? Are we in such a self-absorbed society that it’s much too hard to swallow the thought that much of our world is suffering? How can it be that easy to turn away and carry on?

Much like the meme going around, why is it OK to “Save the Whales” and not get in a tizzy that this means no other sea life matters? Of course, your life matters. The seals and fish do, too. But, we’re not on fire right now. We don’t get up at a funeral and whine OUR life matters when someone is grieving the loss of another. It’s extremely clear to see why we are outraged. Until we stop treating black people and minorities as secondary, what will change?

I was a child during the 1992 Los Angeles riots. Witnessing the protesting, looting, and arrests happening before my eyes once again, reminded me, along with the rest of the world, that we’ve got a long way to go.

I was scared out of my mind to go out of the house, not going to lie. Living right by a major LA intersection, we watched on the news as the National Guard held their big guns in front of the frozen yogurt shop and diner around the corner. Shops and buildings were boarded up. Some, much to my liking, displayed “Black Lives Matter” in their windows. 

My fear to go out made me think of all the African-Americans and minorities who feel like this EVERY DAY. No protests or violence involved, just the color of their skin is enough to make them a target.

Mike reminded me of an incident in Nashville when we were pulled over by a state trooper. It was a civil incident, and we got no citation. Yet it was a harrowing reminder when he pondered, can you imagine if we’d been a black couple?

My heart aches for all of those who are suffering. Especially the families of victims George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Philando Castile, and the countless others.

As the months continue to go by, I’m hopeful that the events we’ve seen unfold the past few weeks will make for an impact. Statues and monuments celebrating white supremacy are going bye-bye like never before, pancake syrups involved with a side of racism are getting rebranded, and people are continuing the hard conversations. Yet as I said, we’ve still got a long way to go. 

The perfect example is, why aren’t Breonna Taylor’s murderers behind bars yet? Sign the petition and get resources HERE.

As for the future of my articles on Along Comes Mary and committing to advocate, my goal is to highlight many more black and minority-owned businesses, as well as winemakers. I’ve never considered myself a protestor, or even an advocate, for that matter, but it starts with ME. I have plenty of my usual “perky white girl” content scheduled (including some stories on the dogs) but expect to continue to see shares on my Instagram and Facebook promoting Black Lives Matter and resources to support.

Furthermore, please reach out to me should you know of a terrific candidate to highlight and support that is a person of color and/or minority. My goal has always been to welcome all on my website, and I want that to be shouted from the rooftops moving forward.

I’m sure many reading this will not want to stay on board with me. So be it. To those who continue to support me along the way, I thank you. I’m in no way perfect, but together, we can slowly make a change. xo

(*All images and media content used is not mine nor the property of Along Comes Mary.)