#younglivesmatter

[chefmariabell]

Young people follow, old people enjoy the progress #dreambig #lead #teach #blm #younglivesmatter #oldlivesmatter (at Chef Maria's Kitchen) https://www.instagram.com/p/CCs10HelVuD/?igshid=1gv2e7blareve

[lostinforeignfields-blog]

Hierarchies

October 5th 2018

Today I walked into a room full of professional adults. Some were social workers, some were court officers, some were judges, and some were police officers. I myself was a program manager for a nonprofit organization called Roca who works with troubled young adults. BUT in this same room were about 6 young men. 6 young men who are heavily involved in the streets; 6 young men who have had extremely traumatizing upbringings; 6 young men who simply want what we all want BUT they themselves may not know that just yet. As all of these different departments introduced themselves I couldn’t help but to stare at each individual young men. Inside I could feel my heart pounding; my hands getting sweaty; my throat clogging up; all because as I sat there I envisioned what it would be like to be one of them. I envisioned what it felt like to sit there listening to “important officials” give there introductions and speak about their work. I instantly was able to feel how these young men must feel. Day in and day out they are encountered or involved with different institutions. Good ones like educational programs or nonprofits and bad ones like courts or jails. As I sat there I couldn’t help but feel there pain. I kept thinking how exhausting it must be to encounter so many different people who do so many different things but yet none of those things is actually what they need… They really just need a hug. They need love. They need ears that actively listen. They need a million chances. They need structure. They need patience. They simply need strong, authentic, real caring human connections that will never leave. THEY NEED SOMEONE WITHOUT A TITLE. They just want humans to feel their pain. They want someone to share their pain with and to help them carry some of it too. As I sat in that room while every other professional adult discussed the wrongs and rights and this or that requirement to stay out of jail and succeed I simply sat there reflecting on how horrible their lives are. It’s interesting how we as humans pride ourselves for our accomplishments. I mean of course we would right? We worked hard for them! BUT, sometimes consistently talking about how far you’ve come or simply introducing yourself with your name and current job title can instantly make another feel below you. A setting such as what I just discussed is a perfect example of that. If all of these professionals entered this room full of troubled young men and everyone simply introduced themselves with their names that would have created a much better environment. Where everyone feels equal and of course it may be obvious to the young men who does what BUT there is something about not saying it out loud that makes the world a difference. I don’t know I could also be completely wrong and this could be a stupid point to even be making. But I do believe being aware of your surroundings could make an impact. I do believe human connections can be stronger when you even out the playing fields. For example, I was able to connect with this young person in court today to a pretty solid level for someone who doesn’t even know me and I started the conversation by simply stating my name and asking him his. There is no need for me to tell him my job tile and what I want for him and what he needs to do to succeed… I’m sure he already knows that. My only job in that interaction should be to LEARN which requires LISTENING. That’s the problem. NO ONE listens therefore NO ONE learns…  

[awesomegodspelthings-blog]

#guncontrol #saveourkids #younglivesmatter (at Us Vets)

[vdvalencia-blog]

St. Mary's County Sheriff Tim Cameron • #younglivesmatter #calltoaction • 💔😔🙏 (en Lawndale, California)

[jewishandmore]

Assemblyman Sean Ryan calls for a freedom from fear that is more important than any individual’s right to own a larger magazine or an assault rifle. #neveragain #freedomfromfear #younglivesmatter #marchforourlives (at St. Paul's Episcopal Cathedral, Buffalo)

[michellefitzgeraldcounsellor]

I have shed many tears this morning for the children and individuals who lost their lives in Manchester this morning/evening in the UK. We have very close family links in Manchester and this is, as with all acts of violence in the name of terror, absolutely heartbreaking. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with all the families who lost loved ones or have a loved one injured, anxiously awaiting word of their plight. If all the world prays at once, perhaps we can make a difference to those fighting for life. #prayformanchester🙏 #prayforpeace #endterrorism #younglivesmatter #manchesterbombing #lovelife #loveyourfamilyeveryday (at Michelle Fitzgerald - Counsellor & Psychotherapist)

[theartistmac]

"Escobar" by TheArtistMac #EscobarByMac [email protected] 💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯💯 To love this life of art and receive love for it feels wonderful. Thank you all for keeping me busy. Check out this portrait of young Escobar...that I'm working on. A fierce contender on any playground, leaving a BMX blaze to,from and across it. A Mom Security Guard! A little Big Brother in the household and now you are created as art right here. Great things are said about you buddy. Your parents are proud of you. Peace #THEARTISTMAC #FeelingTheMoment #LovingArt #Portrait #ARTWORK #WITHGODIMGREAT #YoungLivesMatter

[theroyalweekly]

Kate & Pippa Style on Twitter: "Great photo of the @HuffPostUK team alongside the Duchess of Cambridge https://t.co/dlUJIoTFUG https://t.co/HpdMCTBuqB"