Compassion in Times of Uncertainty
COVID-19 has exposed the underbelly of American Society - classism, racism, and ageism have all come to bear during the past few months. Conventional norms no longer exist and new norms are being established across all facets of life from how we work, to how we eat, to how we interact with others. The human condition has changed for us all— rich and poor, young and old.
As a person of color and a business owner, I am faced with a unique set of problems because of my own moral compass. From delinquent rents and vandalism at my properties (in communities of color) to a wide range of other issues. I don’t have a “Playbook” to refer to or some magical panacea that will alleviate all of these problems but I do care and I actively seek solutions through consistent dialogue. These are unprecedented times for everyone, many among us are experiencing a sense of hopelessness as we lose friends and family to an invisible enemy and lose jobs for reasons out of our control all the while, we are still fighting the preexisting cancers that have infected America since its birth. What I would implore ALL people to do is to press forward, communicate and to be compassionate above all else. These are not easy things to do but rather they are the most challenging acts that can be undertaken during times of crisis. To press forward requires courage, to communicate requires deep introspection and to be compassionate requires selflessness.
When we come together we are better than our individual parts.
“You must never, ever give up. You must never, ever give in. You must never, ever give out. We must keep the faith because we are one people. We are brothers and sisters. We all live in the same house: The American house.” — John Lewis
About The Author —
Kyle Webster is owner and CEO of Black Diamond Properties — a real estate investment group that specializes in acquiring 2–10 unit distressed properties in New Jersey. Prior to founding Black Diamond Properties, he spent four years on Wall Street in various sales and investment roles at Nasdaq and J.P. Morgan Asset Management. He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.