Can't Stop this Feeling

Starkeisha Macedone
Oct 17, 2016
3 min read

I HAVEN'T WRITTEN IN FOREVER!

I know, and I am sorry, but the fact of the matter is that I like procrastinating. It's my achilles heel. But if it makes anything better, I am quite good at procrastinating where it pushes me to get in gear and pump out great things:)

So here we go:

I had previously written a long blog post about my thoughts on racial discrimination and why I think it is so hard for people (especially those of a caucasian background) to understand. I mean, that has exploded as if we created that out of nowhere. Which is false, by the way.

However, it was getting crazy long and it was just really hard to try and explain the real fear and stress about living in a country that thinks that the civil rights movement and electing a black president makes everything right. How can I possibly explain that racism has just evolved over time into this unspoken privilege of my white neighbors over myself? It doesn't happen all the time, but I can say that it DEFINITELY happens nonetheless. And that is coming from an african american young woman who grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood in the middle of Utah. A predominantly religious state. It happens, and people don't even realize that they are weary around those that look like me or would rather have them marry someone of a lighter skin tone to be safe. It happens.

I have been posting different articles and videos that I really loved that in my opinion help all of us to better understand what is going on, and that we aren't trying to divide everyone or think that black lives matter over everyone else, we are saying that ALL LIVES MATTER, but the BLACK LIVES ARE THE ONES THAT NEED HELP AND LOVE RIGHT NOW.

Simple as that. If we can start these thoughts, feelings, and actions on the communal level of educating and raising our children to see and know that there isn't a dominant skin color (we are all a part of the human race), that's when the positive waves can really get going. It isn't going to be easy and it will definitely not happen overnight but it WILL happen if I along with you, our friends, our families, and those around us can choose to change our behaviors and actions. This will include reinforcement and training of officials and those sworn to protect us, which is also a hard truth for some, but a reality for me and one day my children. I do not want them to grow up in a world where those that are supposed to be protecting them, can shoot them without probable cause and then get away with roaming the streets freely with a badge on their chest.

SIDE NOTE: I just watched Zootopia today and IT WAS INCREDIBLE and a fantastic representation of this life and how uneven things can become. Really, it was a children's movie and yet it was an uplifting way of educating the general public.

I highly suggest everyone to watch it, and then to watch the fantastically moving documentary 13 afterwards. They are both on Netflix people so I know it is possible for you to watch those instead of another episode of some show you've already seen. IT'S TIME TO EDUCATE OURSELVES AND TO TAKE ACTION AND BE INVOLVED!

Was this post scattered? Most definitely. Was it worth the read? Maybe not to some. But this topic means a lot to me and my little family, and I know that all it takes is one to get a ball rolling.

I am so grateful for all of the support I have already received thus far in my shares and thoughts, and just for my life and the dreams I am achieving one day at a time!

Here's to a great week people where we can open our eyes more to what's around us and listen to those who need to be heard. I really will try to work on posting each week because I do have some good things cooking that I can't wait to share!

Love always,