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Triumph in the Midst of Tribulation: Our Good News of 2020

Deborah Stroman
8 min readDec 31, 2020

Black Voices of Chapel Hill (NC) Share Their Wins

I could feel the anger starting before I even finished watching the media clip. A 14-year-old Black boy, the son of award-winning jazz artist Keyon Harrold, was being violated in the lobby of a boutique New York hotel by a White woman who claimed he had her smartphone. Another racial incident went viral because of the glaring abuse of privilege whereby irrationality disses a respect for life.

Grammy-winner jazz artist, Keyon Harrold, with son who was accused of a smartphone theft on Dec. 26, 2020.

This trauma made me pause and think about how many times this year and in the past Blacks have observed or experienced acts of racism by systems, institutions or well-intentioned people. I’m not like the victim’s mother who repeatedly asked why this would happen to her gentle son. I know why. I analyze and reflect on the why in my daily racial justice work. It is hurtful and tiring to know that there are people who hate you, institutions who work against you, or policies written to hold you back just because of the color of your skin.

“Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” — H. W. Mabie (Photo: Kelly Sikkema)

And yet, it is the close of the year and the holiday season of love, peace, and joy is upon us. To that end, I know that this year has not only been one of…

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Deborah Stroman
Deborah Stroman

Written by Deborah Stroman

Professor. Advocate. Connector. “Inspiring Thought & Action.” www.dstroman.com

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