black lives matter.
hey mariposa! lauren here. like the website? i’m glad to have brought it to you :)
i want to take a second to talk about something very prominent and important going on in our society today. the progression of the black lives matter movement.
we live in an era where our generation brings unforeseeable positive change to this world, but it all begins with visible injustice and tangible action.
George Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Trayvon Martin. Tamir Rice. Eric Garner. Philando Castile. Michael Brown. Justin Howell. the names we should all be remembering and honoring.
much of today’s youth, including me, sits at home, watching as the social fighters of our communities put themselves at risk to fight for a good cause. they subject themselves to the harmful practices of the institutionalized anti-protest police force. they shout our cause from the streets. plaster it on every wall. and we sit here, with the privilege to be on our computers and read about their hard work.
but this isn’t bad, we can help. we can do whatever we can to make this movement known and garner support. we live in the time of social media, where messages quickly become widespread, where our power source truly begins.
so this begs the question: “what exactly should i be doing?” what not to do? don’t post a black screen on your instagram and call it a day. don’t post #blm and call yourself an ally. it requires more than that. sign petitions, spread these petitions, flood call numbers of governors and congressmen. do everything you can to make sure everyone on your platform knows to do these things. instead of posting a black screen? post 5 links that take people to these resources.
if it’s safe, protest. have restraint and good judgment, but for those of us who do not have to feel the pain of being a black person in America, we must hear their pain, we must see it. we must help them alleviate their pain, and take some of it on our own shoulders.
black lives matter is more than a saying. it’s more than words of support. it is change, it is movement, it is active reform. to truly be a supporter of its cause, take tangible action. we are an incredibly intelligent, resourceful, progressive generation, and we need to use every single piece of technology and every ounce of strength we have in our bodies to take action.
all we want is to be able to see our black counterparts
be able to walk on the street without fearing for their lives.
do what you can, spread the message, and love yourself and others.
lauren
here is a link to some resources:
