Black Lives Matter: The Emotional Rollercoaster of Advocating for Change

These past few weeks have been frustrating, disheartening, uplifting, and empowering, all at the
same time.

Frustrating: Black lives matter. A phrase so simple, yet so significant. It is remarkable to believe
that some people would even want to argue with this statement. Black lives matter. There is no
‘if’ or ‘but’ needed. To me, it is as simple as that and if you have a problem with such a phrase
then you are part of the problem in present-day America. 

Disheartening: I often sit and wonder what more I can do for my community. The struggles of
the black community are often overlooked and ignored. There are so many cases like George
Floyd’s that occur, where justice is denied. I am sure that justice is denied to the black body on
more accounts than we have record of.

It is upsetting to see those who I considered my friend look the other way and do not
acknowledge that it is happening right now. I have had to let some people in my life go because I
believe that if they cannot see how much this means to me, then they are no friend of mine.

Uplifting: All the while, this movement has allowed me to meet many allies who believe in the
movement. I see black voices uplifted and heard. Awareness is being raised. Those who are
doing wrongdoings are being held accountable. There are positive changes being made.

Empowering: With the gained momentum of the black lives matter movement, it suddenly feels
like so much more can be achieved than I could have ever hoped for in the past.

I consider myself outspoken and proactive when it comes to the issues I care about, but there is
even more that I can do. There is more that I should have been doing. There is more we all
should have been doing for the black people in America, but now is not the time to be focused on
what you should have done. This goes for those inside and outside the black community. Now is
the time to do something. That “something” is not going on about “how you hadn’t realized how
big of an issue police brutality was for blacks in America”. The black body has been suffering
for over 400 years. The problem is more than just police brutality. The problem is the deeply
embedded racism in society. Now is the time to finally do what is just and right in ways that
transform our society for the better.

The black lives matter movement is not meant to be the latest trend, but rather a social
revolution. We need to revolutionize American society and make it a place where we all feel
valued and safe. Many of us are doing what we can to support the movement and bring about
positive change in this country. We are posting on social media, protesting in the streets,
donating, signing petitions, educating ourselves, having tough conversations with friends and
families...something like this is multifaceted. Not sure where to start? A list of ideas and links
can be found here:

https://blacklivesmatter.carrd.co 

Start there and do not stop.

Keep on doing what you can to support the movement. The time for true change has come.