I’ve spent the last 2.5 weeks listening. I have spent the last 2.5 weeks learning. And, to be honest, I have found it difficult to hear other people’s truths.
But you only find progress facing and listening to different perspectives, no matter how difficult they may be to hear.
Perspective Is A Powerful Thing.

One of the pillars of my business has been helping people shift their perspective — to see their own situations in different way in order to see the opportunities and possibilities, seize their potential, and discover what they are truly capable of. Perspective is a powerful thing. The time has forced me to stop and listen to the perspectives and lived experiences of black people. And I am shocked and heartbroken.

Now, more than any other time, I think about the unjust experience of my friend Orlando Bowen — how when he was going out to celebrate his new contract with the CFL, he was beaten up in a parking lot by 2 corrupt police officers and drugs were planted in his car. Fortunately, those cops were eventually arrested, but Orlando was almost sent to jail. He was almost killed! But he chose to transform his ‘mess’ into his message and philosophy about forgiveness, compassion, and growing together through his youth leadership charity One Voice One Team, helping people realize their value and their worth. In his words, “to see people as people, and stand up for people as people.”

I Was Horrified When I Heard His Story

I was horrified when I heard his story! It brought me to tears. But I must say that, even though I have lived in a number of other countries and have seen police corruption, having grown up in a small town and not being able to imagine that kind of unjust brutality from the people who are meant to serve and protect, I also, ignorantly, thought what Orlando experienced was a rare incidence — that corrupt racist cops were rare. And they were arrested, so….

But I’ve spent these past 2.5 weeks examining how limited my own perspective is when it comes to this, and realizing that there are so many layers to what is happening now. I was raised to, as Orlando said, see people as people. So in my mind’s eye the truths and lived experiences I’m hearing about now are so awful that I just couldn’t have imagined them. And, for that, I sincerely apologize for my ignorance.

“How Could You Possibly Know…”

In being part of a conversation with 2 other women of different races a few years ago, after asking a genuine question I was told that I would never understand because of the colour of my skin. And I was painstakingly hurt by that comment. I immediately thought “how could you possibly know where I’ve lived, what I’ve experienced or what I would or would not understand”.

But now I appreciate there are many things that I don’t understand and may never fully understand. But I can listen. And I want to learn. And I will continue to treat people as people and show love, kindness, and appreciation, just as I was raised to do; continue to help people shift their perspective and own their stories, and continue to lead by example.

Doing What Is Right

This issue is an important one — one that deserves more than lip service or a few posts or emojis on social media. It is important to listen and have challenging and uncomfortable conversations. It is important to learn about systemic racism and what that really means; just because we are not overtly racist doesn’t mean we are not somehow part of the problem.

Right now, things may seem so broken down in the chaos. But that makes it the best time to build things back up the RIGHT way. Because this really is about justice. This is about doing what is RIGHT. And, again, as Orlando said, this is about seeing people as people and standing up for people as people.

#BlackLivesMatter

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Note: Looking for inspiration on how to shift your perspective to see not only new possibilities but also solutions to whatever you may be facing? Read my book Redefining ‘Realistic’, which can be ordered on my website (hardcover with colour photos and personalized), or get the audiobook version HERE. And connect with me on Instagram and Facebook for ongoing words of empowerment.