To be honest, I have been very neutral in politics, be it Kenyan or Dutch or any others that has caught my attention in the last 15 years. However, this didn’t stop for being disgusted or rebuking the many acts against humanity.
What I didn’t know was that I would be explaining it to my 7 year old girl who wanted to know why there was a demonstration in the city square.
I-J : Mom! Why are these people in Centrum matching and holding up the cards ” black lives matter”? Me- 1st of all stunned and then responded. ”
Me: a lot of unfortunate and bad things have been happening lately and it has gone extreme , so people have come together to condone (speak against) these acts.”
I-J : what is condone and why black lives matter?
Me : told her the story of George and Arbery and told her how it’s still unfortunate that people are judged and mistreated because of the colour of their skin.
I-J : even before I finished explaining and looking shocked said , “ nooooo way!! But we are all the same! Did he want to harm people? Was he being naughty on the streets, what did he do?
Me : ” Arbery did nothing wrong though (but George did)
” I-J : “ why didn’t anyone call the police to help”
Me : ” For George, it was a police officer who did that to him”
I-J : looking so disturbed by this and tears filling in her eyes. “ oh my goodness , even if he did something wrong like wanting to hurt people, he should not be killed, only arrested and taken to jail. So why killed because of nothing? Mummy, that’s so bad. Then we should also be in centrum right now, with these other people.
The 1st time, I talked to I-J about race was years ago when people were demonstrating against the Zwarte Piet ‘( black helper to Santa Claus version). The explanation was very basic and just covered the history of the slaves and how some people still carry it forward.
To me nobody ever gets killed during Sinterklaas and children love it for the gifts and candy. It’s the adults that actually spoil and tarnish the whole thing.
Anyway, for innocent people to get killed now miles and miles away, I guess it tipped the scales and it was finally time for a conversation. Maybe it’s time for that tough conversation with those ignorant or young around you , before it catches up with them.
Yesterday, I was sad because of the death of a single mother, we had visited Opa and the empty house reminded us of Oma’s absence and I-J was crying about it and about Olivia’s absence.
Then with everything happening, this encouragement just came to me. Not sure if it fits for your case, but when i was at the lowest point and at the point of almost losing my life, God saw it fit to remind me in His own way, that He is still King of the world and got it under control, even when darkness seems to be winning.
Keep the faith. Light will conquer. Encouragement: God is working behind the scenes in every situation that you are in and feel like the darkness has overcome. Even though He will reveal to us the results at His appointed time, He is always faithful to give us a preview of His promises to keep us encouraged.
Just like the stars in the night. Have you ever doubted the existence of the sun during the night? No! So look for the stars and find His humor. He reveals His humor through various things like nature, people and His word (check out proverbs). May we open our eyes even in the midst of the dark storms and may we see His character, His humour and the tit bits of His promises which He faithfully reveals to us.
Click here to watch the video on youtube
God bless,
Nelly.