It Always Seems Impossible - Until It's Done

On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, I attended my first virtual graduation. My niece is a member of the Class of 2020 from Amanda Elzy High School and this was a Remarkable Experience! I am so proud of her and her classmates! The cover for the blog this week is a picture of her graduation cap. It was beautifully decorated with a quote by Mr. Nelson Mandela that states, “It always seems impossible – until it’s done.” This quote weighed very heavily on my heart all week. Mr. Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years and after being released, served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. I am sure, this seemed impossible for him, the citizens of South Africa and the world until it was done.

Unfortunately, the joy and celebration for my niece was clouded by the death of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis, MN by police officers. The horror of his death has been played repeatedly for the world to see and serves as a terrible reminder that social injustice, police brutality and racism, remain a dark part of our history and our present. The complications of managing emotions last week was very tough. In the midst of a pandemic, we were required to change how we would celebrate and honor the Class of 2020 and outraged by the inhuman treatment of Mr. Floyd. Now, this brutal act and others that recently occurred have us again questioning our peace, faith in humanity, fear for our sons and daughters and more importantly, our hope for the future. Also, my family concluded the week with the death of my uncle.

As a Mississippian, I was reminded of the unspoken training that my Grandfather James and my uncles passed down to my male family members about how to manage themselves with the police with the goal of coming home. We also had the Jet magazine with Emmitt Tills’ funeral as a family keepsake. However, in 2020, we are still dealing with the residue of slavery, systematic stereotyping, and racial discrimination. Yet, I will stand firmly on my belief in God, because according to Psalm 119:114, You are my refuge and shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Because of everything occurring, we have to keep hoping, praying, voting, serving, peacefully protesting and preparing our world for my niece and those that will come behind her. Today, this may seem impossible but we know that “it always

seems impossible – until it’s done.” We have to work together to achieve change in our society that will include freedom and justice for all mankind!

This blog is dedicated to my Uncle Elijah Moore (8/28/38 – 5/22/20).

We love and will miss you!

Dr. ReShone

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