It is 2020, what I call the golden year, and the events that have transpired and what this transformative year has brought so far is beyond anything I could have ever imagined. The time for reform and to lift our voices over the loud noises of discrimination, injustice, racially motivated killings, and suppression of freedoms is upon us all. Whether older generations or those in positions of power are ready to let go of racism and the idea of white supremacy or not. This is an incredible time where the rising generation that I'm fortunate to be a part of are willing to put it all on the line, and have no desire to hide anything in the shadows. They are pulling out their phones to record, document, and illuminate the uncalled for and disgustingly casual ways that police brutality has ridden through the streets.

I came in hot with this post, but that’s alright.

LET'S GET THIS CONVERSATION STARTED.

Silence or passive attitudes have no place in this movement, including the idea that I could just work on building up my life and rising above the preconceived notions that people have for me as a black woman in America. Of course, I am not throwing away that fantastic goal. I am not dropping my life. But I am saying that I have to do so much more. Although it's heartbreaking to take in everything that is happening, my silence does not give respect and help bring justice to my community. It 100% includes me. It's still wild to me that I have had conversations with people I've known and even have relations with who tried to convince me that nothing was happening. That I was "English" and not a part of the black community. That they could just focus on their families, work, and everything else was far removed from them. If only people of color had that luxury to check out from reality. I mean, how is that that people cannot understand that black Americans want to grow themselves, their character, and be with their families? Yet, their very lives are at risk every day because of how the American justice system is built, with those that police the streets having a god complex that they are free to do whatever they wish with a badge and gun. Black lives are being taken and forgotten as if it is a past time.

The ignorance and blind vision from perspectives I grew up with had me confused for years! However, I finally understood that being brought up in an extremely predominantly white community did not include the immunity and privilege that they could partake in. I don't want to live in a world where I will have to teach my children that they have to act submissive to try and make the white community comfortable. Why do they have to make sure to walk around without their hands in their pockets? Why do they have to make sure they don't wear hoods? As a generality, why do we have to make sure to get on the ground, raise our hands, and convince the authorities that we mean no harm? At this point, even with all the compliance in the world, people of color are getting killed anyway. Hands up, don't shoot, and the shooting happens anyways. Even playing outside, walking home from a store after buying candy, and JOGGING leads to a lethal sentence to end their lives.

This is America. The land of the free and where we were told to keep our hands on our hearts and pledge ourselves to a flag and life that insisted that there was justice for all.

Some will argue that the system has been changed since the Civil Rights movement, and that it was purely the peaceful protests that brought change. What most people so blissfully miss is the fact that minutes after pictures were taken of these protests that the authorities rolled in to beat the absolute shit out of these protestors. Martin Luther King Jr himself was murdered, and it wasn't until after six days of rioting that the Civil Rights act of 1964 was finally passed. The pot had boiled over, and honestly I do not disagree and cannot find a way to look down upon those riots.

The picking and choosing of facts and what happened through the history of America in the educational system baffles me. Going back to how America was founded, and the people in charge who built the system, Americans are arguing that nothing is working the way it should. Yet, if we are honest with ourselves, the system is working exactly as it was designed. To keep down the people of color. The 13th amendment was created and stated that slavery was abolished, but made sure to include a clause that it could still exist if someone was convicted of a crime. Which from what history has shown is easy enough to do when the ideals of racism and white supremacy are upheld in the justice system by judges and law enforcement, and it is simple to commit a black man to jail for years and even their lives for the simplest of crimes, guilty and even innocent. How can a black man be committed to prison for years over possessing a joint while a white man can rape an unconscious woman behind a dumpster and be let off after 6 months? This isn’t even going over all too many cases where black individuals were innocent and had evidence to back it up and they were still put away.

With the murder on camera of George Floyd, the justification by the policeman and other Americans was that he had tried to deposit a $20 counterfeit check. Another white man had tweeted in response the obvious racism by stating how he had been the exact same age and done the exact same thing as George Floyd, but had the charges dropped and it became a funny story he would tell at parties. Can we acknowledge the despairing difference?

IT IS NOT RIGHT.

What I urge and shout from the rooftops is that we all do not forget the cause. The fight for human rights, equality, and bringing down systemic racism should not be so controversial. It is not a difficult concept. Why do people push so hard against something that should be a given? Equal rights and justice is not optional. As I mentioned at the beginning, passive attitudes and silence are detrimental to growth and change. This does not mean that you have to be at the front lines of marches, protests, or being a huge influencer on social media. Being involved in this fight is as easy as just talking about what's going on and correcting those with racist ideals, sharing articles to educate yourself and others, signing petitions, donating to foundations, etc. Every voice, every action, and every supporter helps to rebuild the system based on true equality and to take care of our communities versus funding billions of dollars into law enforcement. Who in fact, are causing more harm and over policing than their jobs are supposed to entail. When we take care of the citizens, provide funds to improve our educational systems, and make supplies and resources readily available for people to build their lives, it will be incredible to see the results of positive change.

Can you commit to stand for justice? To talk even when it's uncomfortable? To accept that there is societal racism and discrimination, that may even be benefiting some of you? It is not an accusation, it is accepting that there is an unfair and unjust difference that WE CAN DEMAND TO CHANGE.

Lift every voice and sing, till Earth and heaven ring, ring with the harmony, of liberty...let us march on til victory is won.

-Black National Anthem

Have an incredible week my friends, thank you for letting me speak my truth, and I hope to see all of you believe in your courage to stand for what is right and stand up for those who are marginalized.

Thank you for standing with me.

Sincerely,

Jessi Hope