I think, so far, 2020 has turned out very different than any of us could have imagined! So many have been hurt and affected in one way or another. My heart goes out to those who suffer from any type of prejudice, discrimination, and hate. Although we have come a long way as a society, it is clear that we still have a long way to go. This past April Elder Jeffrey R. Holland stated,
"When we have conquered [COVID-19]—and we will—may we be equally committed to freeing the world from the virus of hunger, freeing neighborhoods and nations from the virus of poverty. May we hope for schools where students are taught—not terrified they will be shot—and for the gift of personal dignity for every child of God, unmarred by any form of racial, ethnic, or religious prejudice. Undergirding all of this is our relentless hope for greater devotion to the two greatest of all commandments: to love God by keeping His counsel and to love our neighbors by showing kindness and compassion, patience and forgiveness. These two divine directives are still—and forever will be—the only real hope we have for giving our children a better world than the one they now know."
We hope for a better world, but all too often we question: what can I do? What difference can I make? Where do I even start? Along with these questions, we can also be accompanied by the fear of speaking out, of losing friends, of receiving hateful remarks and comments, etc. However, "Somebody has to stand when other people are sitting. Somebody has to speak when other people are quiet." (Bryan Stevenson) Although standing for what is right is never easy, it is always worth it. It may feel like we are standing alone, but we never know how our actions will affect others and even give them the courage to rise and stand with us.
There are so many good resources out there that can help us know how we can recognize signs of discrimination or prejudice in ourselves and how we can support others and start making a change in our own homes and communities. Learning the histories, stories, and backgrounds of different cultures, races, ethnicities, etc. are so enlightening and humbling. There is so much to learn and so many beautiful elements to admire. It can also help us to wake up and realize that the world isn't always the rosy picture we make it out to be, and it can help us to understand the struggles that others have (and still are) going through.
A beginning step I think that is vital in this process is to learn how to look for the common ground. Although some people may initially appear to be very different from us, the more we get to know them, the more we will realize that there is more that unites us than divides us. An op-ed piece between the NAACP and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints states:
"Unitedly we declare that the answers to racism, prejudice, discrimination and hate will not come from government or law enforcement alone. Solutions will come as we open our hearts to those whose lives are different than our own, as we work to build bonds of genuine friendship, and as we see each other as the brothers and sisters we are — for we are all children of a loving God."
I know that throughout this time there are many who are hurting and are deeply wounded. While I may not fully know or understand what it is that you are going through, I know that there is somebody who does. I know that the Savior knows you personally and knows exactly what you feel. He offers healing, peace, and the ability to offer forgiveness and love to those who have wronged us. We can remember that "the Savior loves to restore what you cannot restore; He loves to heal wounds you cannot heal; He loves to fix what has been irreparably broken; He compensates for any unfairness inflicted on you; and He loves to permanently mend even shattered hearts." (Elder Dale G. Renlund) Christ truly is the light and hope that we can cling to as we work towards a better world.
