Don't look away from Buffalo's tragedy. That's how racism thrives.

Louie Villalobos | Paste BN

Today's newsletter starts with a note from the great Connie Schultz as an intro to her latest column that you can read as part of a big subscriber sale. As always, thank you to all our existing subscribers, and welcome to the new ones. Take it away, Connie.

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My one-year anniversary as a columnist for Paste BN is approaching, and what a year it’s been. From my first column, as a straight ally of the LGBTQ community, to my recent reflection on front porches, I have felt free to write about whatever is my mind and start a conversation with you, the reader. I’ve never had more readers willing to engage with me through email and social media. It took me a few weeks to get used to the vast reach of the Paste BN Network.

Paste BN readers have a lot to say, I’ve learned. Often, you let me know what’s on your mind. My favorite responses come from those of you who are willing to share a story from your own lives. What an honor to be on the receiving end of this generosity. I can’t respond to each email, but please know I read every one of them. Occasionally, as a growing number of you have learned, I reach out and ask you to tell me more.

Thank you for letting me hang out with you once a week. Let’s keep this conversation going, please.

- Connie Schultz

Don't look away from the 10 Black lives lost in Buffalo to racism, gun violence

Many of us who have lost a loved one know that gut punch of despair when we first witness life going on without them. Our beloved’s voice is forever stilled, our hearts shattered – and yet the sun shines, strangers laugh and weddings go on as planned.

It is the nature of grief to feel isolated, if not abandoned, in mourning. We may yearn for the veil to lift, to rejoin the living, but the timing is not ours. The heart knows what it knows, and it will not be rushed.

This week, the funerals continue in Buffalo, New York. Ten people were killed on May 14 in the bustling Tops Friendly Markets store on Jefferson Avenue. All the victims were Black. More to the point, and we should say this every time, all of them were killed because they were Black. READ MORE

You're going to want to read all of Connie's work

This is the part of the newsletter where we spotlight specific columns from the featured columnist. We will do that. But you can save yourself some time by just going to Connie's author page and reading it all.

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