It has without a doubt been a heavy two weeks in our country. One thing that I have learned along the way in my journey to peace is that real change rarely comes when things are going smoothly. Whether in our own personal struggles, or on a societal level, sometimes deep pain and shock are the catalysts for awakening us to new goals and ways of thinking.

Home Away From Home

A big part of my personal journey to peace was living in Pearl Lagoon, Nicaragua. It is a mostly Black community along with some indigenous Miskito people, and they took me into their homes more openly and lovingly than any other group of people I had ever been around. As I grew accustomed to my friends’ homes and their families, I felt comfortable to just walk and sit with the families as they baked and cooked and laughed. They often joked that I had a “Black Heart”, referring to the way in which I walked in unannounced and told the mother of the household I was hungry, or shared with them whatever food or drink I had come up upon earlier in the day.

Whether it was Mama Rachael, Mama Vilma, or Mama Lily, they always were sure to take care of me with some beans and rice or fried cassava, and treated me as if I was their own son. They showed me how to help thy neighbor in need and build a community the right way, and that is a lesson that I think we can learn as a country right now.

International Discrimination

I spoke with Jimmy Anderson, one of my best friends from Pearl Lagoon over the weekend. He told me, “Chris. Those racist people. Dem don’t know how nice we black people is. Treat you good and always keep you safe and healthy. You have to tell dem.”  A part of me felt sad to hear him say that as I know how Black people in Nicaragua are discriminated against just like they are here in the U.S., as the federal government there continues to appropriate their land and sell it to Pacific Nicaraguans encroaching upon their land and language among other things.

Hope In Slivers

But another part of me felt a sliver of hope. The Black Community is showing the world just how kind and loving they are. Watching these recent events unfold in response to police brutality towards the Black community, I have a feeling that as the world shines it spotlight on racial injustice right now, we are going to see a people who are full of beauty, determination, love, intelligence, and compassion show their true colors. A people who will give the shirt off their back to help you, no matter what your skin color or religion you are. A people who have been through endless collective suffering are now coming to the forefront to lead efforts to make real change in our society alongside their brothers and sisters of all colors. It’s about damn time we come together. 

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