Whenever I try to find inspiration for my next post.....I typically sit and think in a quiet space free of distractions. Or I usually try to always keep a paper and pen nearby in case an idea pops into my head. As the days go on and I continue to think during my quiet times, in my quiet spaces, for the first time I didn't need to grab a pen. I didn't have to hesitate about what it is I wanted to write about. The thing I wanted to write about was on every news station possible. It was being talked about on every social media platform. It was a CNN notification to my phone every couple of hours. My heart is heavy because my brothers and sisters are in rage, disgust, and uproar. We are hurting silently but SO loudly at the same time. It hurts me to accept and also admit that we're looked down upon, disrespected, belittled, hated, treated inferior, beat, battered, and killed simply because of the color of our skin. It's 2020 and black people are still fighting for basic human and civil rights and we're fed tf up! Our voices won't be silenced because enough is enough and quite frankly we've had enough. We have respectfully fought entirely too long and too damn hard to be treated the way we do on the same territory we've built.
It took the unfortunate circumstances of a global pandemic for the world to actually come to terms with the fact that racism is still a very prevalent thing in this country. George Floyd was a son, father, brother, uncle, and cousin. But above all else, he was an innocent black man who's life was brutally taken by a police officer. The senselessness and carelessness of police brutality has cost hundreds of black people their lives for years. However, it took this ill-fated incident for others to advocate, educate, learn, donate, protest, march, scream, shout, cry, engage in uncomfortable conversations, see people for who they really are, and quite frankly be angry. Angry with a system that has displayed no consistency of empathy...respect...dignity...regard or appreciation for black people.
At the age of 23 I attended a protest to fight for not only myself, but for the future generations to come. It was the most liberating and empowering thing I've ever experienced. Our ancestors didn't endure what they did for us not to uphold what we know is right. They showed us the ropes and now we have to decide if we want to pave the way. Regardless if we see change after this or not, we cannot let this opportunity go in vein. Please see the importance of your voice..your light...and your basic right to advocate for yourself as a human being. Know why we need to vote, sit in on community board meetings, sign petitions, support black owned businesses, etc. Take this situation to readjust and act according. Your blackness is rooted in resilience and joy. Your black is vibrant. beautiful. unique. strong. powerful. intimidating. rich. and most importantly WORTH it. Don't let this corrupt world allow you to think anything less.
Being black is something that I wear with pride and dignity. There is so much richness and history behind the dark hue to our skin. Wear your story and own it. Black is an identity that nobody can take from you. Black is an attitude...upbringing...and culture that is often imitated but never duplicated. Smooth like shea butter and glistens like the sun. Rich with melanin and built strong from survival. Y(OUR) BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.
Black is Beautiful in a series of different photos:
After seeing so many young people collaborating protests, getting maced, and shot with rubber bullets....I will no longer tolerate slander about this generation being lazy and entitled. Because we have showed up and showed out on this matter on multiple platforms and will continue to do so.
Often times it's hard to see the beauty in chaos especially during times like now. Keep in mind this is all happening for a reason. Collectively I know were all exhausted mentally and emotionally but keep fighting. keep posting. keep protesting. keep educating and keep having those conversations. We did not come this far to only get this far. Please never forget your importance and how special you are. We matter even if they think we don't.
Say Their Names: George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Rayshard Brooks. Auhmaud Aubrey. Sean Bell. Eric Garner. Trayvon Martin. Sandra Bland. Tamir Rice. Michael Brown. Philando Castile. Tanisha Anderson. Natasha Mckenna. Anthony Ashford. Domonique Clayton. Mya Hall. Darrius Stewart
Michael Noel. Janet Wilson. Marco Loud. Aaron Bailey. Akai Gurley. Brian Keith Day. Richard Perkins. Bettie Jones. Michael Lee. Matshall. Torrey Robinson. Alteria Woods. Joseph Mann.
Ways You Can Help:
2. Movies:
Selma
13th documentary
12 years a slave
How They See Us
The Help
The Butler
The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till
3. Check on your friends, family, and loved ones
4. Share, post, repost, like, comment, etc.
5. TALK ABOUT IT! EVEN IF YOU DON'T WANT TO....DO IT
6. Donate
7. Verify the information you're HEARING about
8. SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
9. SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
10. SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
11. SUPPORT BLACK BUSINESSES
-Niyah
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