The Movement

BLM continues to ring in the streets and throughout the country, beckoning for true justice to finally take ROOT.

The Black Lives Matter Movement continues to steadily garner global attention since it's creation in 2013 following the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin murder trial. Seeing the large protests develop all across the United States, as well as other countries as tangible and visibly stunning displays of solidarity often leaves me in a place of amazement peppered with bits of skepticism. Speaking from the perspective of a black woman with a black son, my high level of skepticism has been steeped in fear since my very first encounter with the negative reactions "my skin" can trigger. Coming to the realization that, my placement in this world can and will be dictated by the color of my skin and how my skin is perceived by some individuals who will always and forever be engrained with generationally cultivated prejudices against black people, was a rude awakening. That awakening has hardened into solid weight I carry with me on a day to day basis. It is apparent in many of my interactions with white people, even the white people who have clearly and earnestly proven to be allies. It is apparent with my fellow black people, even if shared through quick glances in socially uncomfortable situations. It is apparent whenever my son goes to school, and I have to wonder if this will be the day he is awakened. I want to believe wholeheartedly, that this movement will spark incumbent change, taking root in a system that was so meticulously pieced together to keep us scrambling, broken and defeated. It's so hard to let up on my skepticism though, because in an odd way...the burden of it keeps me acute, focused and aware of what is going on around me. It's keeping me alive and ensuring I don't fall into a false sense of security that does not currently exist for me or people like me. Hopefully, one day....

#BLM #Equality