I am not known as someone who is typically vocal about my personal opinions on sensitive matters. I’ve always thought the best ground is the middle ground, and maybe in this gray area, a utopia exists. Truth is, the world doesn’t work that way. To choose the silent path, to not speak up, that in itself is a form of oppressiveness. I think this all has brought that to light. We have a voice we can use to influence all the individuals in our lives. If you believe in the land of the free, home of the brave, then I hope these racists actions against the black community we’ve seen all over the news as of late have really opened your eyes to the inequality in our systems. I acknowledge that I have a lot to learn, a lot to grow, but I do have a voice in my community.
However, I’ve lived in fear of being vocal on matters like these because of my own experiences and the communities I’ve been apart of who don’t necessarily agree with the movement that is currently going on right now. I remember just for following AOC, a once close friend of mine from high school messaged me “don’t tell me…why?” I brushed it off and never called him out. I’ve seen individuals I once knew attend the protests in Huntington Beach (the ones for reopening hair salons and shops), right near my school, but I never said anything about it. I’ve seen someone condemning the current protests and fight for #BlackLivesMatter and their language belittling the movement as a whole. And still, I let that story slip away with a tap and I didn’t say anything. Staying silent was more fatal. Who cares what other people think of you, this is something I need to realize. Who cares especially if you are standing up for what you believe in. I don’t want to live in fear anymore, I am trying to not be a people pleaser, and I have to learn that being submissive isn’t what is needed right now. Especially as someone who wants to make a career out of helping others in the future, this act of silence doesn’t reflect the individual I hope to become one day.
I applaud all the reposts, calls to actions, stances in solidarity, and donation pages that have popped up in the past day alone. It is so motivating and humbling to see the curtain get pulled to reveal an ugly truth that’s been continually festering in the communities we live in. It’s ugly to witness, and even uglier to be a victim of it. I acknowledge my privilege and at the same time my power. I hope that while quarantine has given you a chance to be lost in your own thoughts and take time for self-care, it has also given you the opportunity to reflect on yourself as a member of the community, the injustices you may have brushed off, the privilege you may hold and what you can do about it.
Wherever you are, know that we bring our own lived and learned experiences to the table. It’s so important to start somewhere, and maybe like me, it starts with educating yourself on these injustices and finding small ways YOU can help out. Be a small drop in the water because when all those drops come together, bigger and bigger ripples are created to eventually start a huge wave of change. :-)
