Written by: Sahara Powell

June 03, 2020

I’m black and I am affected by every single Black person who has been killed by cops, wrongly accused, or has suffered at the hands of White Privilege. 

This time, I feel more affected than ever.

Maybe it’s because I am older and am experiencing all of this with new, educated, and experienced eyes. Or maybe it’s because I am seeing everything in real-time on every outlet there is. 

It’s everywhere I go.

I open Instagram and see black squares and new headlines of the latest victims. 

I open Twitter and scroll through endless videos of cops caught abusing their power. 

(See George Floyd)

(See Messiah Young & Taniyah Howard)

I see our Black leaders and celebrities “risking” their careers for speaking up for basic human rights and equality.

(See John Boyega)

(See Keke Palmer)

I see young Black youth getting gunned down by racist, white people for simply walking/jogging through a neighborhood.

(See Ahmaud Arbery)

(See Trayvon Martin)

I see Black Women MURDERED in their own homes while sleeping soundly.

(See Breonna Taylor).

This racism is recorded, captured, caught on film, and is now being televised, yet there are STILL people denying anything is wrong with the system. People are still denying white privilege, police brutality, and outright racism against Black people...MY PEOPLE. 

I am exhausted from seeing my Black brothers and sisters murdered for being Black. I am exhausted and sad, but most importantly, I am FURIOUS. 

I am furious that the same things keep happening day after day, yet aggressors rarely get punished and held accountable for their racist actions.

I am furious that I am still fighting the same fight that my father, grandparents, and their parents fought. 

I am furious that each day I have to worry about my Dad, Aunts & Uncles, Brothers & Sisters, Cousins, Nieces & Nephews, and Friends being profiled, pulled over, attacked, and KILLED for simply existing with Black skin.

I am furious that I even have to think about whether or not I want to one day bring Black children into this country where so many people hate them for being Black and for even having to worry about having sons because I’ve seen what happens to Black Men in this country.

Now IS NOT the time to politely ask for equality.

Now IS the time to DEMAND it.

It is time to demand Justice, Equality, and a stop to killing Black people.

Now is the time to speak up and out in whatever way you can.

PROTEST if you can.

If you can’t protest, then DONATE.

If you can’t donate, then SIGN PETITIONS.

Educate yourself. 

Check your friends and family who are racist and anti-Black.

No longer tolerate racism.

You don’t have to be Black to fight for the Black Community.

You don’t have to have experienced everything Black people go through every day in order to fight and protest alongside us.

There are tons of ways to support Black Lives Matter now and always.

Remember, “If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor.” ~Desmond Tutu

With Passion,

Sahara

Get Involved Now:

Above all…VOTE!!!!!!

Donate:

• Detroit

• Chicago

• Florida

• Atlanta

• Louisville

• New York

• Philadelphia

• Minnesota

• Los Angeles 

• GoFundMe: Breonna Taylor

• GoFundMe: George Floyd

• Black Lives Matter

• National Bail Fund 

• Donate your Credit Card Rewards or other rewards

Petitions: 

• Justice for George Floyd

• Justice for Breonna Taylor

• Ban the use of Rubber Bullets

• #DefundThePolice petition by Black Lives Matter

• This petition aims to "demand acknowledgment and accountability for the devaluation and dehumanization of black life at the hands of the police."

• #JusticeforBigFloyd petition by the Grassroots Law Project

• This petition aims to demand justice for George Floyd and his family. "When you sign, our platform will automatically send your message to County Attorney Michael Freeman, who has the power to arrest and charge these police officers," the website says.

• NAACP Legal Defense Fund petition for George Floyd

• This petition insists "that officials ensure safe policing in times of unrest."

Learn ways to be actively anti-racist

• Combat microaggressions in the workplace

• Address racism and microaggressions at home with family, friends

• Work to eliminate hiring bias in the workplace 

• Engage in productive discussions in the workplace

• Urge schools to integrate diversity into the curriculum

• Demand change from brands

• Understand and question yourself about privilege

• Avoid being silent

• Encourage students to study diverse historical figures

• Bring diverse voices into schools/Volunteer to be a speaker 

• Read about race and educate yourself