I woke up this morning wanting to write something on here today. Something. Anything. I went back and forth with funny or real? Keep the conversation going or give a break? I decided to be honest.
We don't get a chance to heal at all before there is another tragedy reported. Everyday its something. Last night the horrific tragedy in Nice is thrown on top of what we experienced last week here in the States. It is way too much!
Last week on Facebook, I wrote a status calling out the silence of my non-black friends on the murders of black people at the hands of the police. I was sick of it I had had enough. I was so angry at what continues to happen and seeing people that I know completely ignore it was infuriating! It is easy for me to ignore the trolls on comment sections of articles or on twitter, not so much on Facebook.
Facebook is the one social media platform where I have touched, spoken to, or seen in real life all the people I am connected with. My Facebook friends are real people to me. Former colleagues, former classmates, friends, and Sorors are the bulk of my friends. So to see that the vast majority of my friends were sharing photos at the beach, or their chia seed homemade oatmeal and I was crying my eyes out at work, hurt!
“I’m an educated, Caucasian, heterosexual male. Does this ensure I will have success and live the American Dream? Obviously it doesn’t, but it damn sure drops me on second base with a great opportunity to steal third.”
It fucking hurt! To see the acknowledgement of what is happening would be so helpful to the conversation. It is possible to talk about race. Sure it might be uncomfortable, but more people should talk about it. Yesterday I read a piece by Henry Rollins, "White America Couldn't Handle What Black America Deals With Every Day". I encourage you all to read it! It might be hard to have the conversation, but it is necessary for anything to happen.
Race shouldn't matter, but it definetely fucking does. I can recall so many times through out my life when it was brought to my attention. Once in 9th grade study hall, the proctor told me and the other black girls to be quiet. My friend responded "But Katie and them are talking loud too." The proctor responded, "Yea, but you people noise is a different kind of noise." That was 17 years ago and I remember it like it was yesterday!
I have never in my life been so motivated for action, yet felt completely hopeless at the same time. So inspired to push for justice, but not naive enough to believe it will ever be achieved. As I was typing this I just had to have a conversation with my little brother about how him just being a 6'3 black male is danger label to some. You are a threat just for being you. I really am scared for him right now! I don't want him to become the next hashtag.
Sorry for the journal-like post today, but I had to get it out! Maybe I will be back to the funny next week! Again keep practicing self care! A white friend last week told me "My voice is important." Don't be silent my friends, YOUR VOICE IS IMPORTANT!
AB
