24 Comments
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Joan Zwagerman's avatar

Beautiful, Nicole! I’m privileged to live in a building where my neighbors are literally from all over the world and it has been one of the best things ever to happen in my life.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

That sounds amazing! How wonderful.

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Jodi Bennett's avatar

I hope that your voice and SO many others will be heard today!!! 😍

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Nicole Baart's avatar

Me too!

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Liz Flaherty's avatar

I love this, too. I think I could identify with every emotion you felt!

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Nicole Baart's avatar

It’s hard to come face-to-face with our prejudices and shortcomings, but I pray we have the humility to keep learning…

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Kali White VanBaale's avatar

LOVE this Nicole!!!!

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Nicole Baart's avatar

♥️

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Julie Stone's avatar

So beautifully poignant. Thanks for writing it.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

I’m convinced hate is a matter of proximity. Move closer. Everything will change.

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Kathy McMahon's avatar

I just love you. Love how you write. Love your heart and perspectives.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

Love you, too.

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Pamela Adams's avatar

That was a truly beautiful piece. I appreciate your love and reaching out. Keep it up.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

Thanks, Pam. Keep the faith.

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Marianne Fons's avatar

Powerful, beautiful!

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Nicole Baart's avatar

🙏

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Judy Hauswald's avatar

Nicole, I think many people, myself included, have experienced these same phases when we meet people who are different than us. You are able to explain those phases beautifully. Thanks again for writing and sharing your thoughts.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

I fear there is also a very early phase of animosity… and, sadly, some never move past it. They’re missing out.

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Connie T's avatar

Beautifully written. It touched my heart.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

Thanks, Connie. I’ll forever repeat: we belong to each other.

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Jo Nelson's avatar

Nicole, as usual, you moved me with your post — this time with tears of recognition and gratitude. It is a learning journey to peer through the hole and see the face of God in the Other. Thank you for illuminating this journey and the healing that is so desperately needed in all of us and our neighbours.

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Nicole Baart's avatar

Thank you, Jo. If we don’t see God in the fourth grader taken by ICE, the mom crying for her child, the unarmed man tackled by five in full tactical gear… I fear we don’t recognize Him at all.

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Jo Nelson's avatar

Agreed.

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Dean Weitenhagen's avatar

If innocent legal immigrates are arrested in ICE raids, it is a failure of law enforcement. If, however, those arrested have broken America’s laws, they must be held accountable. If not, which other laws are you willing to allow everyone else to break? I love all of God’s children. That love does not condone criminal behavior.

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