Last month I participated in a Howard County gathering for Courageous Conversations. My group of roughly ten participants included African Americans and other races, Christians, Jews, Muslims and other religions. In our challenging and open discussion, I was particularly struck by one very articulate African American women who commented after a lifetime of struggle with systemic racism and this summer’s black lives matter events said she was simply exhausted; it was simply exhausting on a daily basis. This struck me particularly powerfully. I don’t live this kind of life, as a white person, and don’t have to confront this on a daily basis. Our conversations continued and I was heartened by the connections and open conversations we had as a diverse and listening group. And thanks to Rep. Elijah Cummings of blessed memory who co-founded these conversations for Howard County.
