The events that unfolded in Charlottesville, Virginia caused a deep primordial reaction today. Words fall short of the horror and sadness that irrupted in my belly from the abhorrent display of hatred that came from the square box (TV) in my living room. To those that lost loved ones to this malevolence, there are not enough words to describe my depth of sorrow. 

 As a child from the South, I grew up only hearing stories about the atrocities that occurred at the hand of the KKK, as I was born after the civil rights movement had lessened some of the gross separation segregation had caused. I never in my lifetime thought that I would see that kind of hatred resurface the way it did today. In my line of work, I see people of all skin color, race, culture, religious and political affiliation, gender or non-gender identity, and sexual orientation. I know that this kind of hatred exists as I have many clients that tell their stories, those that have even survived barbaric mistreatment of this nature. My own great, great grandfather fled the Russian persecution of the Jews as an adolescent. The genetic Ashkenazi Jewish material and connection to the Jewish culture he brought to this country and eventually to me has been exposed to its fair share of hatred and ignorance of others. 

The lack of tolerance that causes pain in all of us runs deep world wide. When is this going to change? What has history and today taught us? When do we begin to feel the pain that is caused by the chasm of hate, so that we can unite? This pain unites us all. I wish there was more I could do to lessen the divide. I am only one person and by grace I am in a position through my job to spread the message of tolerance and love. I can’t do it alone.

For AKAL
Danielle Marie