On this day, it’s Black Out Tuesday. I initially was going to write a piece on how reproductive capacities of black women are once again under attack through mass incarceration. However the current political times have me thinking a lot about advocacy and activism. What it should look like and whose responsibility is it.
Well, my answer is probably going to be controversial but when has anything I said not been controversial.
I’m tired. I’m tired of black people saying the same thing. And going out in the streets and pushing for our rights and receiving the same results.
It’s time that white and non black minorities make a conscious effort to eliminate anti-blackness.
Because to be completely honest, it’s not going to happen if y’all don’t get on board.
I went to a protest in my hometown for #BLM. When I decided to go, I couldn’t help but think of what would happen if it turned violent. Would I be able to come back home? Would I need to use my body as a shield to protect my brother?
Imagine my surprise when 90% of the people at the protest were white and non-Black minorities. At first I was annoyed and angry. Was this just another ploy for social clout? But as I cheered and stood in silence with them, I realized the power of the image being depicted to passerby. WHITE PEOPLE WAKE UP. ITS OUR PROBLEM TOO!
Seeing white counterparts protesting made other whites feel comfortable vocalizing their support. Including a college aged white girl who drove around our protest several times fist in the air playing NWA’s Fuck the Police and an older white gentleman starting a chant for George Floyd.
However as we are rallying along racial lines, I can’t help but see the lack of intersectionality on gender. People seem to have already forgotten about Breonna Taylor. And our queer black women and men.
Even though most protesting are women, pictures mostly depict men at the frontlines. Emphasizing that as we progress towards justice we must not forget that we need to consciously act against ALL the evils in this patriarchal, Heteronormative, cisgender society.
That we all have a part to play and the show must go on!
