It’s Clear Now.

I’ve admired the work of Lexington’s ethos-defining artists Kremena Todorova and Kurt Gohde for years, and I was humbled when they invited me to participate in their current project: Lexington in the Time of COVID-19.

Here’s their work, and what I wrote to accompany it.

The pandemic slowed us down and brought everything into focus.

If the lines were blurred about the devaluation and dehumanization of Black lives at the hands of the police. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether you spent enough time with your family. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether African-Americans could possibly have disproportionate health outcomes in a city like Lexington with more than 3 hospital systems within its 285.5 square miles. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether your employer was able to let you work from home. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether our drug overdose epidemic could get worse. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether you could pick up that hobby if you just had the time. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether your neighbors would help you in times of need. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether you could bake that bread from scratch. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether you could learn new technology at your age. It’s clear now.

If the lines were blurred about whether we need each other to survive. It’s clear now.

The pandemic forced us to deal with uncomfortable situations and realities; it compounded issues, and at the very least, made us uncomfortable.

But the pandemic also made us realize that we are, in fact, stronger together.

This new perspective gives us the opportunity to make dramatic changes in our lives, our communities and in our world.

Vote. Grow a garden. Buy local. Enjoy the outdoors. Make time to listen and learn. Fight injustice. Love one another.

Build our future.

We cannot go back to how it once was.

Justin and I stand with you in solidarity always and forever.