Our nation is a buzz with current and unsettling events lately. Martin Luther King, Jr. said “riots are the language of the unheard”. As we have been challenged with the disconnect and isolation of the COVID19 pandemic we cannot ignore the deaths due to ongoing police brutality that includes Breanna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and most recently George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
George Floyd’s death was the catalyst that led to protests for peace and justice across the country. Until recently, the protest had been peaceful. However, protesters turned to rioting and looting the streets across the nation. On June 1, 2020, what started as a peaceful protest ended in riots that hit close to home in downtown Providence. Oppression, plus an imbalance in our economic and political system, inequality and the lack of positive change may have contributed to the riots. But as we continue to fight for change, rioting and looting takes away from the protesters message, our message, of peace and justice.
Here at RI Counseling Associates, we want you to know that WE HEAR YOU and we are here to help. We encourage you to:
- Make your mental health a priority
- Do self-care daily
- Limit the amount of news you watch
- Take breaks from your computer screen to avoid screen fatigue
- Turn to your support systems
- Explore your resources
- Take your medication daily
- Be active
- Try to get daily doses of fresh air and sun
- Consider participating or contributing to a local or national organization
- Stay well and be safe
Resources to educate you and your family as we continue the fight against violence and racism:
From the Center for Racial Justice in Education: https://centerracialjustice.org/resources/resources-for-talking-about-race-racism-and-racialized-violence-with-kids/
From the Oakland Public Library: Resources for Talking to Kids About Racism and Justice: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1s0lCA3FlulVhK6DFE2d3uYCipc6ApY8Gn2rMwm6fYqw/edit
