07/18/2025
At the Unitarian Universalist (UU) church I attend, every service begins with:
“Let us open our eyes to see what is beautiful.
Let us open our minds to learn what is true.
Let us open our hearts to love one another.”
These words ground me, especially hearing "black lives matter, immigrant lives matter, trans live matter". They remind me of the inherent worth and dignity of every person and the interconnectedness of our lives. My UU faith centers love and justice—not fear—and helps me navigate the complexities of life.
This week, I’m in Charlotte visiting my father for his 75th birthday and attending the NAACP convention. Our conversations have been deep and challenging, touching on generational differences, cultural values, and topics like gender identity, relationships, and parenting.
I grew up Catholic and chose something different for myself as an adult. My father, an immigrant from Haiti, keeps his citizenship papers in his car “just in case" which I learned when he picked me up from the airport. Despite living in the U.S. for over 50 years, fear of ICE still shadows his daily life. Our conversations this week—about marriage, parenting, queerness, and politics—reflect the tension of love across difference. They’re also reminders of the resilience required to stay in relationship while holding firm to one’s values.
What I’m learning:
Love and justice aren’t passive. They require presence, discomfort, and growth.
Liberation is relational. Sometimes that means accepting others where they are while staying grounded in your own path.
Grief and growth often coexist. I’ve learned to release relationships that no longer support who I am—and open myself to new, liberatory ones.
I share this reflection in gratitude for the progressive spaces and liberatory friendships that resource me—and in appreciation for the quiet growth happening even in conversations where agreement is unlikely.
💭 Where are you finding joy or steadiness in your journey?
💭 How are you resourcing yourself as you lean into hard conversations or big changes?
Wishing you courage, compassion, and connection in whatever conversations you’re navigating. Join me in Antiracism Revolution membership community or read my book "Mindful Race Talk: Building literacy, fluency and agility" for additional support. Learn more: https://www.drnatedmond.com/trainings.html
