Living in Chapel Hill is a blessing. Despite the stifling heat wave, seemingly tropical afternoon rain storms, and the rise in coronavirus and monkey pox cases, life is good in the southern part of heaven. Screeecch! Let’s be clear – reality bites. There are matters that have “stopped me in my tracks” and made me wonder about our capacity and compassion as humans. Why so much unnecessary harm and death in this wealthy democratic experiment called the United States? I share several happenings that just don’t make me feel good – at all.

  • The plight of WNBA and Olympic star Brittney Griner. Her smuggling and possession trial in Russia has ended with a conviction and a nine-year prison sentence. Guilty of possession of less than 1/10 of the amount of cannabis that would be found in one of our edibles! Now that the 31-year-old has pled guilty will the prisoner swap, which requires the highest levels of Russian-American diplomacy, occur? It’s just weird watching the WNBA playoffs and the Phoenix Mercury team without her. #FreeBrittney
  • How come most of the lettuce and spinach sold at grocery stores is now packaged in plastic? In addition to the damage plastic is doing to our environment and human health, the containers are difficult to open and fill up too much space in my garbage bag! According to a May 2019 report called “Plastic & Climate: The Hidden Costs of a Plastic Planet,” plastics originate as fossil fuels and emit greenhouse gases from cradle to grave. I’ve found myself now pausing when staring at the greens — contemplating traveling to another store, waiting until Farmer’s Market day or just bypassing the purchase all together. Greed and the profit motive are in every aspect of our lives. I just find it hard to stomach it in the produce section.
  • History repeats itself and it hurts. When Blacks make progress, White backlash responds. Professor and bestselling author, Carol Anderson, brilliantly outlines this assertion in her powerful book, “White Rage.” For example, many Whites in this nation are in a major tizzy about what is being taught in our schools that would make children uncomfortable. Where is the trust in our educators and administrators to design a curriculum that challenges perspectives and promotes critical thinking? Don’t we often learn best from those who “pinch” us the most? The disturbing campaigns to ban books, elevate parental choice over teacher expertise, and to misinterpret Critical Race Theory is not only dangerous but a wedge to divide our country. Let our children learn!
  • The GOP is the party of the KKK. What? Well, if it walks and talks like a duck… the Republican party is under attack for all the right reasons. Claiming to be the party of Lincoln, family values, and individual freedom is laughable. From voter restriction legislation and ugly talking points about people of color to the numerous incidents of having a “blind eye” to the usage of profanity and sexual assaults, plus the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this assembly of conservatives appears to be living in a time warp. And let me not fail to mention the opposing cries of “Blue Lives Matter” when Brown and Black folks screamed for justice regarding police brutality. Today the same band of hypocrites want to disregard the hate and violence inflicted on law enforcement on January 6, 2022 and the FBI’s interest in a former president’s actions. Jokes (truths?) have emerged about Republicans being the White party or the Trump party. Why? The Daily Show does my work for me on this one.
  • Some things are just too hard to believe. Deshaun Watson, Clemson and NFL Cleveland Browns football star is an intelligent, charming, handsome, rich, kind to children and the elderly, master of the game of his youth. He is also a sexual predator. Watson is a disturbed man who used his power to injure women. Similar to our belief that racists are only uneducated, low-income, less traveled, and “cave dwelling” people, criminals come in all sizes and shapes. That is, racists can be very nice. Racists and white supremacists are also our bosses, co-workers, community leaders, politicians, and neighbors. Watson needs significant help and, quite possibly because our vision of brokenness only appears in our minds with a certain makeup and look, he may never heal. Watson certainly won’t notice the $5 million fine from his very deep financial coffers. Likewise, I’m pretty sure the claps and cheers will reemerge when he steps on the field for his first game on December 4.
  • I walked by an unhoused woman sleeping on the walkway of Carolina North stores in broad daylight. I read a passionate note on Nextdoor about a run-down basketball court in the Armstrong Court public housing project. I am concerned. With further inquiry about these incidents, I see and believe that people in our community care about those less fortunate and those who are often denied access to the finer things in life. My melancholy is centered on why we aren’t better at reducing inequality and inequity? Why do people have to repeatedly bargain, protest, and call out our systems to pay attention (or wake up)? Is everyone truly valued in our town? Are our highly-touted resources just a mirage or a tent of “smoke and mirrors”?

My favorite time of the year is quickly approaching – the fall season. A time that represents change and letting go. I remain hopeful that my blues will turn to smiles. Until then it is important for me to remember and reflect on the progress made by hard and smart working organizers and activists who speak courageously for justice, and that kindness is often a fire starter for connection and mobilization. There is a better way. It just doesn’t come for free.

“Never Too Far” contains perspectives and insights from an inquisitive and engaged Orange County transplant from Philly. Deborah Stroman is an entrepreneur and UNC leadership professor who has seen too much and not enough, and thus continues to question and explore the thoughts and actions of humankind.

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