Heavy Heart

But we would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them that fall asleep; that ye sorrow not, even as the rest, who have no hope. (Thessalonians 4:13).

The Rev. Sharonda Coleman-Singleton, 45

DePayne Middleton Doctor, 49

Cynthia Hurd, 54

Susie Jackson, 87

Ethel Lance, 70

The Rev. Clementa Pinckney, 41

Tywanza Sanders, 26

The Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., 74

Myra Thompson, 59

The math task can wait. The lesson on polynomials can be postponed.  I want to talk about racism in America. Now. I think about the many interactions I have each day with my students. Each of my colleagues has as many. There are 600 students here. There are over 2,000 at the high school a few miles away. We teachers see many students all across cities and suburbs. I want today's conversation to be about love and humanity.

I want tomorrow's conversation to be about kindness and tolerance.

Eventually these conversations don't need to happen every day because love, humanity, kindness, and tolerance have become part of our breathing -- they are in our blood, in our black, white, yellow, purple skin. This is my prayer.