We here at The Spiel Foundation are filled with heartbreak over the senseless, brutal, unjust death of George Floyd.

I can’t even begin to understand living with the impact of centuries of systemic racism – how it hurts individuals, families, an entire community and culture.

In some ways, there is an ocean of difference between us all.

But we are still connected, deeply and profoundly, united by common threads of our shared human experience.

It’s this connection that allows me to express heartfelt empathy and compassion, even from my distant shore.

The world needs more champions of inclusion, compassion, and empathy.

***

With that in mind, we wanted to offer up these thoughts from our small corner of the game playing world.

We think one of the threads that unites us is our love of play.

When we play together, there’s a space created by us – between us – no you or me – but US together, playing.

And sometimes when we play, we free ourselves and others from the mountain of assumptions and fears that weigh us down. This means our choice to play can be one of profound courage, imagination & freedom.

Play can be a powerful and positive force that shapes how we relate to the world, to ourselves and to others.

Play teaches us that we even have the power to change the rules – to make things more inclusive, to insure that all of us have seats at the table.

Our love of play, being players, allows us to imagine and create spaces where all are welcome and all are present.

***

The world we live in, though, finds so many ways to push through into the worlds where we play.

It’s time we change the rules. Can we make the world we live in more like the world where we play together?

The more we play together, the more bridges we can build.

Choosing to play can make us lighter, freer, can bring us closer to knowing ourselves and others.

Put simply, play can help transform us into better versions of ourselves.

***

There are no easy or fast answers to heal wounds with such deep history.

None of these thoughts are an attempt to reduce very complex issues or present a single or simple way to “fix” things.

The question is: how can we change things for the better?

There are many, many voices needed – almost all of them way more important than ours.

But in the spirit of adding our voice to this chorus, we offer up this perspective, hoping our point of view is helpful in some small way.

***

Play isn’t a solution or an answer.

But play can be a path to greater empathy.

Playfulness is a posture you can use to help you face the world and make it just a little bit better.

There are different paths set before us.

Whatever path you choose can be a little more playful.

We are born into a culture of play, a community of players, a game table that spans every ocean and covers the world.

This metaphor, our dream of a grand, world-spanning game table, drives everything we do at the Spiel Foundation.

There’s room for all at our table.

And each person at it allows us the chance to learn from and understand the world, ourselves, and each other a little bit more.