i'm lucky to know what happened to most of my family and that i know where i come from. my family started grabbing land in palestine in the mid-1800s. that does not mean we are indigenous. a lot of generations have passed and we are still not indigenous.

my family went where they thought it would be safe. they went without nefarious intention. they split up and went to england, south africa, and palestine to try and figure out where they would best fair. eventually the ones who went to england came to america and here i am.

it's not right that my family has profited from displacing people. it's not right that i'm currently living on land that belongs to a displaced people who have been meticulously ousted by the government that i pay taxes to. i can say all these things and not get in my feelings.

if we can't say it and admit it without getting worked up and defensive then how are we going to make it right? it didn't randomly shake out this way. my family made decisions. i benefitted. other people suffered. is it my fault? no. is it my obligation to do better? yes.

there are no what abouts for me. i acknowledge this is what happened. i cannot change the past. i can move forward more thoughtfully, with open ears and an open heart, unafraid to make sure everyone has what they need. there's enough for all of us.