In our current divisive climate as a nation, isn’t it about time we begin a real and positive dialogue? We need to counter this negative movement seen in recent news with the examples of Charlottesville, VA, Charleston, SC and Portland, OR, which have only shed a light on what has been swept under the rug since the beginning of this country.
Some of these racially motivated incidents feel like we’re still living in 1955 and not 2017. Perhaps the reason for this is in the 2013 study done by the Public Religion Research Institute that shows 75% of Caucasians do not have friends that are non-white.
We, the Change Warriors of “Come Meet a Black Person” movement, want to take a step to help bridge this divide through ongoing dialogues in communities all across the nation. The purpose of these events are to have a genuine conversation with someone different. We are not talking about casual wave to a neighbor or acknowledgement of a colleague, but real active engagement where we actually talk and get to know other people different from ourselves.
You also just might make a new friend. If we could just recognize the humanity in all of us whether we are green, purple, straight or LGBTQ, Jewish, Christian or Muslim, then maybe we can coexist and save innocent lives. We invite everyone to be a Change Warrior. We are willing to start the healing…are you?
Founder and Change Warrior
Cheryle Renee Moses
Change Warriors
Redelia D. Shaw
Betty Ann Stephens