“NOTHING MORE THAN APATHY”

I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a cue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that’s how it’s got to be
It’s coming down to nothing more than apathy
I’d rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke, and who’s still standing when it clears
Everyone knows I’m in
Over my head
The Fray

Did you know? I didn’t.

I didn’t (and still don’t) fully realize how everything was falling through for the Black community. Their lives are a struggle I cannot comprehend. It would be most comfortable just to take this as my cue to turn and run, as white people have done for centuries. Run from the truth. Run from their pain. Historically, we run the other way, rather than stay and sit with them after the smoke clears.

Let’s rearrange
I wish you were a stranger, I could disengage
Say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that’s disregard
Find another friend, and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between
Everyone knows I’m in
Over my head
The Fray

These are not strangers; these are our Black friends. We cannot just disengage. We cannot just mouth the words but never change. We cannot pretend to soften the situation in an effort to just get along. Eventually a canyon of hurt and disagreement and injustice will open between us.

Do I feel like I’m in over my head? Absolutely. But will I push back against apathy? Also absolutely.

Apathy: absence or suppression of passion, emotion or excitement; lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting; indifference

Oh God, please turn our hearts from indifference to care, passion, and sympathy. As the smoke clears, may we say–I’m still here–as we stand with our Black brothers & sisters.

Will you stay even if you feel in over your head? We can stay together. I’m right here with you.