Life Wright Now | Spring 2020

Spring 2020 has provided ample space to rest, reflect, and read. With protests supporting anti-racism efforts without and two little babies growing within -- Wright twins coming this October! -- it's been difficult to pinpoint all that I've been thinking and feeling over the past several weeks. In my small little world, the days often roll right into the next with nothing significant to tell them apart. Meanwhile, in the world at large, Black lives have been taken left and right. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd.

No amount of mental gymnastics can whitewash the hate, cruelty, and injustice associated with their murders. Death itself is weighty, but when you add purposeful and unnecessary violence, discrimination, and racial prejudice, it morphs into something ugly and sinister. I've watched a few of the videos available, forcing myself to witness and acknowledge the horror, brutality, and assumed power of the white persons involved. In the past, it's somehow been easy to turn away from similar stories, forget, and truth-be-told, essentially dismiss what took place by not giving it much consideration or headspace. I'd like to change that pattern in myself. I know others around me are hoping to change as well. Perhaps collectively, this focused consideration and increased respect for people of color will lead to societal change, notwithstanding the immense police reform needed. I long for my children's generation to grow up in a world overflowing with empathy and equity, where headlines like these will live in the past.

WATCHING | PBS produced an incredible 4 hour series on the history of Reconstruction. Mr. Fleece and I started it on Juneteenth in an effort to reflect and learn about the post-Civil-war era and its link to current events. It's phenomenal and I can't recommend it highly enough!

EATING | Although it hadn't crossed my mind before, I've decided to prioritize these black-owned restaurants the next time I'm craving take-out with Mr. Fleece or making plans with a friend.
Central Cafe & Juice Bar (Central District)
Emma's BBQ (Hillman City)
Simply Soulful Cafe (Madison Valley)

READING | Ironically enough, I recently finished "Gone With The Wind" by Margaret Mitchell. The book paints a picture of the social conditions that continued long after Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox -- the persistent pride of the Confederacy, the immense poverty and despair, the nostalgia and longing for the "old south", and of course, the racial conflicts between former slaves and whites. While the historical setting was important and interesting (I've read lots of fiction placed during WWII but none during the Civil War), that's not why I loved the book. Mitchell's superb character descriptions, interactions, and dialogue, alongside the themes of survival & gumption, social status & expectations, fidelity & loyalty, virtue & morality, is what will stick with me.

LISTENING | Haven't jumped in yet, but I'm planning to check out Code Switch, an NPR podcast featuring conversations about race and how it impacts every part of society.

It's never too late to learn & grow, 

- SJW

Stories Squared | Recent Reflections

I recently finished reading Humans of New York Stories by Brandon Stanton and am reminded once again at how many people there are in our world and how vast their experiences can be from my own. Not always comfortable talking about myself with others, I'm often surprised at how open people can be about the more painful and intimate details of their life. From heartache and guilt, to aspirations and family, this photographic book covers a variety of brief interview topics, stretching the boundaries of emotions and backgrounds.

I enjoy how big cities bring all these people together, whether or not they live and operate in the same social circles or business places, one thing is certain, they cross paths on the same streets and share a connection to a specific place. There are commonalities among us all and I want to expand my empathy toward others, replacing snap-judgement with a listening and inquisitive ear. This applies to those closest to me including Mr. Fleece and family as well as people I walk by that I might not actually speak with.

Up next, some actions I hope to take on these reflections. 

SJW