Take a Knee

Posted on by beautybeyondbones

I’m going to share something that happened to me this week in New York City. An alarming incident of sorts.

And before I begin, quick shoutout: mom and dad, please don’t freak out.

As you all are very well aware, over the past week, NYC has been rocked by protestors, and completely brought to its knees by looters/rioters.

And please note the distinction: the one group is not the other. Protestors = good; looters = bad.

But shops, restaurants, banks, retail, everything – is boarded up. Meanwhile, every New Yorker is glued to their phone, with one eye on the Citizen Neighborhood Crime Alert App, and the other eye looking out the window, canvassing the street below for violence or suspicious activity.

Or maybe that’s just me.

But it is a New York I have never known before. One of anger, distrust, and defiance. Nevermind the fact that everyone is pissed about being under curfew.

So: On Monday or Tuesday of this past week, it was 7:45, just a few minutes before curfew began at 8, and I had just stepped outside for literally 5 minutes to sit in the park across the street for some fresh air before I had to be locked up in my stifling hot apartment for the night.

And I had stopped to take a photo by the flowers, when out of nowhere, this young man ran up to me with a camera. He was filming.

And – nevermind violating social distancing, and not wearing a mask – this young man got right up in my face with his camera, and started yelling at me.

He shouted, “Excuse me, Miss. Miss. I’m with Black Lives Matter, and if you don’t take a knee like Kaepernick right here right now, you are a racist! Take a knee! Take a knee!”

Terrified, I kind of fumbled for words.

And noticing my hesitation, he continued the rant, yelling that I have white privilege and need to acknowledge it and apologize for it by taking a knee, and some other rhetoric, that to be completely honest, I have no idea what else he said because my mind was racing.

I was absolutely shell shocked and scared in that moment. I was alone. I had no idea who this man was, filming me. And he was so angry and being so derogative towards me. Was he going to hurt me if I didn’t take a knee?

This wasn’t me being quick-to-judge, but rather acting from the fact that the past several nights, the streets of New York were truly dangerous: rioters setting fire to cop cars and trash cans, looters breaking into stores and stealing, lawless behavior running rampant. I was scared for my life.

And so I quickly took a knee and then got the hell out of there.

Obviously, I was completely shaken. I called my friends, but decided not to tell my parents, because they already couldn’t sleep with all the violence going on in Manhattan.

But I shook it off, because at the end of the day, I wasn’t really in danger, and I just chalked it up to some guy trying to get a viral instagram video.

Until Friday.

I was listening to a podcast, and one of the headlines was how this viral YouTube “LiveStreamer” named ‘Smooth Sanchez’ was going around Manhattan, making caucasian women get on their knees and apologize for their white privilege, and then livestreaming it for the masses on the internet.

They played a clip of it on the podcast, and sure enough — this Smooth Sanchez guy — was the same guy who got in my face just four days before.

Upon further research, I learned that he’s been doing this “On Your Knees” stunt all week, with every 2+ hour video upload getting more and more views and comments.

I did not watch them, because I didn’t want to know if I was, in fact, depicted on the video — without my consent, I might add.

Now, if you could – table that for just a moment. And allow me to bring up a really powerful, one-line message that a I heard this weekend during one of Fr. Mike Schmitz’ homilies. He was addressing the topic of racism, and it can all be boiled down to this one, very simple and profound statement: “As Christians, we are called to carry each other’s burdens.”

Which finally put into words what was so unsettling about not only that isolated incident in the park, but also the state of the world at large.

We are called to carry each other’s burdens. Every single person was made in God’s image and likeness. And because God is love, our deepest identity is to love.

And by that very fact that we are creations of God – each one of us has a dignity that cannot be taken away.

But sadly, throughout history, and devastatingly even still today, our black brothers and sisters have had that dignity oppressed — either outright, systematically, or underlyingly.

And that is a terrible terrible stain on humanity. One that is unforgivable. And one that needs to change, immediately.

And as one family in Christ, we are commanded to seek justice for the oppressed, and love and stand by our hurting brothers and sisters.

And that’s where the confusion comes in: yes – protesting peacefully and nonviolently for my oppressed sisters and brothers — that is what we are called to do as Christians, and where I personally stand on this issue.

But I do not support violence or looting or rioting.

Which is also why this Smooth Sanchez situation is so upsetting.

This man was going around touting that he was with Black Lives Matter — a movement that I respect, and support. But that was the first thing he shouted at me. ((And I fully acknowledge that this man is not representative of the entire BLM. This man was a lone wolf, I’m sure.))

But that bullying and harassment isn’t going to solve anything. What good does it do to publicly shame — or scare — people into genuflecting at the alter of “wokeness”? That’s not how you solve things. That’s not how you change hearts. You change hearts through communication. Through awareness. Through love – working together, as one family.

And you find resolution through taking on one another’s burdens, in love.

The contrast between those two episodes, gave me a real juxtaposition in thought that, frankly, I probably haven’t done a very good job at articulating, but then you know what? I think another important thing to do these days is to extend one another grace, as we’re all navigating these eggshell-waters to the best of our abilities.

One last thought. I want to close with a quote from the Friars of the Renewal: a brotherhood in the South Bronx here in Manhattan. They released this statement this week, in response to all the violence, which succinctly articulates exactly how I feel.

“We stand in solidarity with our African American brothers and sisters who desire to speak…We recognize that passivity in the face of racism is a sin of omission for which we are accountable before God and is in direct contradiction with an authentically prolife worldview….’Solidarity is an eminently Christian virtue.‘” – Franciscan Friars of the Renewal 6/3/20

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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beautybeyondbones

BBB: Because we're all recovering from something. // For speaking/business inquiries: beautybeyondbones@yahoo.com

333 thoughts on “Take a Knee”

  1. Completely agree with the fact that the support extended from all over the world is not to be abused for entitlement or violent conseqences to people regardless of their stance on the matter at hand..

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  2. Thanks for sharing your story. Sounds scary and sad. One week ago we were all in this together and now it feels like we’re forever separated. But maybe that is for the best as our best hope is we can only be one in Christ.

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    1. thank you so much Pete — I so agree, the nation feels so deeply divided and it breaks my heart. I agree – one in Christ. Glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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    1. thank you Bonnie, I really appreciate that. Yes! they were alarmed after reading this, but thankfully everything was alright. big hugs to you xox

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  5. Glad you are okay. Such a crazy time in history that we are living in. I honestly don’t want to watch the news or look at social media for a while- it’s all too much. We are all born in the image of God. Society is failing to see the image of a human. We are only recognizing the color. It’s about more than that- it’s that we were all created in the image of God. We are al the same- no one is better then another for any reason. Here’s a great short letter to read that opened my eyes. https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/archbishop-viganos-powerful-letter-to-president-trump-eternal-struggle-between-good-and-evil-playing-out-right-now I believe God does have a plan for America and for the whole world. We will never be able to defeat racism or injustice by looking at our skin color. We can only defeat those things by recognizing we are all children of god- so we should live and act like it in our everyday life. Sending love to you always.

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    1. Hi friend, thank you so much for your kind words and encouragement. I think you’re absolutely right – in order to truly heal, we must recognize that we are all one family as children of God. amen. that is my prayer! Hugs and love xox

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  6. So glad you were not harmed in any way. We all bleed the same blood and we are all human and live on the same planet. HUMANS NEED TO ACT AS ONE that is when this nonsense will stop. Spread peace and Love always!

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    1. Thank you so much Sara – I really appreciate your kindness. Amen to that! Humans need to act as one! i love that so much. glad you stopped by! Hugs and love xox

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  7. Took so long to reply. Am so sorry for what you faced. So difficult when our lives are hung out there as a witness to our live for our Savior. I read you are struggling with what to think and do. No easy answer but sometimes the struggle is the point. You are relying on your faith to lead you. That and not emotions or reactions will always lead you in the right path no matter how uncomfortable it may feel. God loves you as his child now that is a certainty. Thanks for your battle Caralyn. Praying for you. John

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    1. Hi John, thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement and prayer. Amen to that – our faith and trust in Him will always lead us to the right place. Stay well! Hugs and love xox

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  8. Very anxious reading this post, putting myself in your shoes. You handled it without confrontation and it didn’t lead to violence, that’s all we can do as human beings is show the people that do wrong how to do right by our actions.

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    1. thank you so much Krys for your kind words – I know, I am so grateful that everything ended up being okay. lots of prayers needed for our nation right now. Hugs and love xox

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  9. Keeping level-headed at such a time is bravery indeed. Your spirit within must have been working overtime to settle your composure and lead you to the only safe course of action in the face of a man with a mission. Ignorance is the root of any discrimination and abuse; unfortunately it also fuels mistrust and judgements.
    In a way the confrontational man is using the cover of a justified protest in much the same way as the looters and arsonists. In their ignorance they don’t see that their actions are bringing the wrong message and will work against the legitimate cause.
    Thank the Good Lord that you are safe, and ready to take on another day. Air hug winging its way over the Pond. X

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  10. In context, Smoove guy’s demands for your bow could likely be construed as a “terroristic threat”. It was outright shaming to say the least. There’s a big difference between shame and guilt.

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  11. Wow. Glad to hear your safe and well! I’ve been sort of in my cave for a little while , knowing yet not knowing. So much happening in the world but Jesus warned about these times. We must keep our eyes on Jesus. God can change the hearts of man, but we must be willing to change our minds too. We must be willing to led by God, and not we, ourselves or by other people or by the world’s patterns. Stand for what it’s right. Stand for justice but above all stand for Jesus! Amen. God bless!

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  13. Let me begin to tell you that my heart goes out to you… I had to read this out loud to my family we also thank you for sharing this post with us all. We thank God you are ok that nothing horrible happen to you this saddens me and disappoints me that you were made to take a knee by a very ignorant person. Thank you for sharing. God bless you!

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    1. Thank you Eve, I truly appreciate your kindness and support. Yes, me too, I’m grateful that everything turned out okay. Sending you so much love and hugs ! xoxo

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  14. Haven’t heard from you in quite a bit, Caralyn. Really sorry to hear about this experience. My family is still out there and what they see is incredible! Please stay safe. Thanks for continuing to share through bbb and thank you sincerely for not hiding from this less than glamorous aspect of the human experience for millions of people. I don’t know what this looks like months from now but I wish you well. Hugs and prayers. Yu

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    1. Thank you Yu. Yes – now is the time we need to all com together as brothers and sisters and stand up for what’s right. Hugs and love xox

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      1. My pleasure, Sis. We’re family! I still need your advice on blog related stuff. Please don’t forget me! If you need other contact info, please let me know. Thanks

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  16. i am a white catholic from Canada and i was insulted when Trump made fun from the knelling of Kaepernick because i do it a lot of times for a numbers of years because at any office at my church as a salute to my lord and often when i pass in from of a his statue or the statue of his saint mother.
    it was an act of humility for me
    so to kneel this way in front of a flag is for me a sort of a religious salute not an insult to the flag
    excuse my English because it is not my normal language

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    1. Thank you so much for sharing this powerful perspective. I am very moved by it. glad you stopped by. Hugs and love xox

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  17. Thank you for sharing your experience : it was truly scary !
    As an older Christian woman who has seen and worked in war zones and violent settings , I want to command you for being able to rise above your fears and be able to look at the episode with a measure of understanding.

    Believe me I have seen a lot of hate and cruelty in all peoples group and a lot of suffering and the command of Jesus to love ones enemy is the only remedy to put a stop to the craziness and stop the spiral of violence and hate. But it is not an easy task, it is painful , and only if you have a living relationship with Jesus can you hope to be able to.

    Don’t pay attention to the politics of people who tell you not to trust this or that movement : they are all made of people with their flaws and shortcomings like you and me !

    One last word : I have the privilege of having grandchildren from different ethnic groups, languages and countries and my prayer is that they can all one day follow Jesus so they never have to think that they need to kill one another because somebody tells them they are the enemy.
    God bless you

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    1. Hi Simone, thank you so much for this powerful response. you’re so right – loving ones enemies is the only way!! big hugs xo

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  18. “I have a dream.
    That one day my children will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”
    – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

    I believe Doctor King meant this for all people. Black, brown, yellow, red and white.
    I embrace Doctor King’s dream and cleave to it.
    It may not be tomorrow or next year or within this century by the looks of things.
    But I will not forsake Doctor King’s dream, for it is mine as well.

    Slainte,

    Paz

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    1. Thank you Paz, for sharing your heart. Dr. MLK was such a powerful force for justice. It is my dream too! Hugs and love xox

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  20. Great post. I’m just starting to read again. As a black woman and a mother to a black son we need all the support we can get and I’m happy that you shared your story. The gentleman was out of line and unfortunately you should never be forced into doing anything for social media. That’s crap.

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    1. Thank you so much Tikeetha, it’s great to see your name pop up! i agree – that is no good. hope you’re doing well! Hugs and love xox

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