Buzzword: a fashionable word or phrase used frequently within a specific profession or field that often sounds technical or authoritative but loses its precise meaning through overuse.

Some of us criticize the culture of victimization …
because it stigmatizes and paralyzes people.
Some of us discount people who actually are victims …
because we are careless, insensitive and sometimes cruel.

Some of us are uncomfortable with the call to live woke …
because it sounds so smug and self-righteous.
Some of us are unaware of the experience of others …
because we are far removed from the reality of their world.

Some of us recoil at any hint of cancel culture …
because it seems like narrow-minded judgment.
Some of us continue to defend the indefensible …
because we deny the pain provoked by certain symbols.

Some of us say we want to defund the police …
because of horrific instances of the abuse of authority and power.
Some of us believe we need to reform the police …
because every community deserves safe, equitable and effective service.

Some of us believe black and brown lives matter …
because all lives matter but the most vulnerable among us need to be defended.
Some of us counter with blue lives matter …
because we should honor those who do this dangerous job with integrity and courage.

Some of us are unconcerned about white supremacy …
because we are convinced it’s overstated.
Some of us are concerned that some of us are unconcerned …
because we cannot confront what we do not recognize.

Some of us call ourselves pro-choice …
Because we want to affirm the autonomy of women.
Some of us call ourselves pro-life …
Because we want to affirm the humanity of life in the womb.

Some of us embrace the concept of gender fluidity …
because we reject gender stereotypes and any related discriminationSome of us worry about the disruption of foundational identity …
because of the harm envisioned to transitioning individuals and to society.

Some of us are offended by and alienated from the rest of us …
because we don’t want to know them or try to understand them.

Some of us are willing to cross the border and have a conversation …
because none of us has a corner on the truth;
because all of us still have much to learn;
because our vision is often distorted and self-serving;
because the buzzing leaves us ill-informed, angry and unsatisfied;
because our highest hope is for a better perspective, healing, reconciliation and everyone thriving.