The Thing About Our Hearts...

On Cannon Hinnant, a 5-year-old white child murdered by his black neighbor, and used by racists to denounce a movement:

Know what’s amazing about our hearts? They are filled with infinite amounts of love. When we have another child or meet another forever friend, we don’t somehow subtract from the love we give the others. We love them all.

The same goes for our hearts’ ability to care. Our hearts can ache and bleed for sweet Cannon, just as our hearts can ache and bleed and demand justice for the sweet, innocent lives of Tamir Rice, Trayvon Martin, Elijah McClain, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and so many others. You heard that extra part, right? The demand justice part? That’s why there are hashtags, marches, and movements. Because while Cannon’s killer is behind bars, and was put there immediately, justice hasn’t been swift, or delivered at all for the others.

You can ache and cry for Cannon. You can send prayers and love for his mama. His poor mama. I know I sure have. And you can also ache and cry for the mothers and fathers and siblings of Tamir, Trayvon, Elijah, Ahmaud, and Breonna. And you can take to the streets to demand that their lives matter enough to receive the same swift justice as little Cannon.

Our hearts can feel all these things. Our hearts should. What our hearts shouldn’t do is use one child’s death to diminish another’s. I guess I want to ask why. Why are some compelled to, instead of honoring and lifting up Cannon’s family, use his death to diminish the death of others, and diminish a necessary movement?

Our hearts can mourn for all the innocent lives lost. Our hearts can love them all. And our minds can sure recognize that when there is no justice, there should be a movement.

*My little Anna on our way to a drive-through BLM protest. She's 5, and she gets it.