I will confess that I’ve found myself many times in a place of giving up on this country ever healing and changing. For all the talk of being a “melting pot”, I look back over the past and present of this country and see Black and Brown people getting burned in the pot over and over. While progress may have been made over the years on some level, we still see the deep wounds of systemic racism not only still oozing but actively being inflicted.  It’s enough to make me lose hope at times.

In those moments, I often look to our musical prophets.  In Stevie Wonder’s latest release, his words echo my own questions- 

“Can we fix our nation’s broken heart? 
Are we brave enough to try? 
Can we fix our nation’s broken heart? 
And leave a better world behind. 

…People pushing and shouting 
and fighting through the haze
And all this sadness, madness, 
help me take away the pain, it’s gotta change
This can’t stay the same, so tell me please
Can we fix our nation’s broken heart?”

Most importantly, as a child of the Creator, central to my faith is the belief that there is no hopeless situation or person, that the darkness cannot ultimately overcome the Light.

As these questions rise up and threaten to lead me to despair, I am reminded that by nature and by calling, hope is my anchor and core.  For years, as a social justice activist and an asset-based community developer, hope was my fuel to go on in the face of unjust and evil forces constantly fighting against us.  As a psychotherapist, I hold onto hope that even the most broken can heal, change, and thrive.  Most importantly, as a child of the Creator, central to my faith is the belief that there is no hopeless situation or person, that the darkness cannot ultimately overcome the Light.

Yet, I also know that hope is not enough. Change requires participation and even my greatest hopes cannot force anyone else to participate in the processes that are necessary. True healing for individuals, families, and a nation requires getting to the roots of the issues.  In this country, many band-aids have been put on while the wounded roots remain festering, and people are still surprised at the rotten fruit coming from the tree that is the United States of America.  For healing, there must be recognition of the wounds, a desire for healing, and the willingness to put in the work required for the healing.  Do I have hope that this nation as a whole can and will do that? No, I don’t.  But I do know that there has always been a small group of people committed to this very thing, and I have seen the power of the few committed to accomplishing great change.  

Years ago, there was a developer who bought up six full city blocks in my small, historically Bahamian community in Miami.  Their proposed project would displace hundreds and further open the doors to the increasing gentrification of the *West Grove. A handful of us community residents took up the fight against this development. At the same time, the majority felt there was no hope of winning against all the money, the politicians, and the power behind this project.  I remember speaking to my neighbor, a Vietnam vet, who said, “Laurie, I don’t fight losing battles!”, to which I replied, “We don’t know if this is a losing battle until it’s over!”  One day our small group of fighters came out of a hearing regarding the proposed development, feeling discouraged as it did not go in our favor.  As we walked out, I was confused to see the peacefully smiling faces of elders of the community- Ms. Betty and Ms. Gertrude.  As Ms. Betty saw my own dejected face, she said with gentle confidence, “God has the last say! That’s the power WE trust in!”  To this day, many (including myself) are baffled by how we managed to keep that project from moving forward, but it never did. 

Does the United States of America have what it takes to heal her broken heart and move forward with the long-awaited change? I have to believe it’s possible as long as there are Ms. Betty’s in the world, along with a few others who are committed to doing the deep work required for change, as well as faith in the power of a God who fights for the oppressed.  

As I hold onto this belief, I choose to sing with Stevie- 

“We’ve come together 
with purpose far bigger than you and me
Don’t have no time for hatred and negativity, it’s you and me
We hold the key, so tell me please
Can we fix our nation’s broken heart?
Can we fix our nation’s broken heart?
I know and you know
We must fix our nation’s broken heart”

*A corner of the larger community of Coconut Grove, also known historically as “The Black Grove”, “Village West”, and most recently designated as “Little Bahamas of Coconut Grove.” Bahamian sailors in the 1800’s not only settled this area, but actually built up Miami itself.