Work for justice

Recently, we had the privilege of joining others committed to a more just country. As we stood at the busy intersection of Routes 64 and 25 in St. Charles with signs supporting racial justice, many drivers honked in support. We were not surprised by the occasional obscene gesture or drivers who accelerated dramatically, leaving us in a cloud of exhaust to express disapproval. Here peaceful protest is a birthright, yet so is the right to disagree.

When a woman shouted, "All lives matter," I wished for dialogue. I do believe all lives matter, but right now Black lives are especially under assault. I would have suggested, as so many have before me, that if her neighbor's house were on fire, she wouldn't expect the firemen to worry about her home. She'd expect them to put out the fire next door.

I do have real trouble with the driver who pretended to shoot us with fingers aimed like a gun. His violence may have been pretend, but it's too close to the violence perpetrated by too many right now.

We do not feel guilt that we were born white, giving us privilege in this country, any more than we feel guilt that we were born into loving intact families who believed in education, any more than we feel guilt about the multiple advantages that were given to us, that we did nothing to earn. Both of us have worked hard in our careers and earned our successes, but we know we had a leg up from the beginning.

We do believe that people like us have the responsibility to try to change the systemic racism that confers unfair privilege. Equal opportunity and justice for all won't happen unless people like us work for it.

Donovan and Ellen Ljung

Geneva