Oh hey 👋🏽Happy Sunday. Let's get to it.
The topic of equality, freedom, and racial justice within the black community began as early as the American Civil War. But when you think about the most memorable events in history regarding black lives, you think about Martin Luther King Jr. and all that was endured during the Civil Rights Movement; you think of Rodney King; you think of Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, Ferguson and Eric Garner. Today, you see DJ Henry, Elijah McClain and Breonna Taylor's faces. But in the year 2020, you hear George Floyd calling out to his mother before his last breaths were stolen from him.
Please note that the events I've mentioned are not positive ones. Black history is not seen in a radiant light. The history of people of color as a whole is shadowed by abuse, injustice, inequality and death. This cannot be our forever story. Something has to change. And it begins with us.
My friend Amy, started a blog called HoodooSeries, to highlight creative people's voices and skills. When the pandemic hit, she shifted to highlight those people affected by COVID-19 and when the #blacklivesmatter movement took off, she opened her ears, eyes and her camera to highlight black voices. My husband and I were two of those voices.
I've attached the link to the interview here for those of you who would like to read it. Some of you already have, but either way, I just want to note that when we sat down with Amy, it was weeks, maybe even a month, after George Floyd's death. Within that month, my husband and I hadn't really had the mental capacity to truly face and accept what was going on in the world amidst a global pandemic. Sitting down with her forced us to vocalize our feelings.
I can only really speak for myself, but a lot my fear came from the fear of being a mother to a black son. My son is only two years old. He is the light of my life, but there was a time when I didn't want children because of how messed up this world is. And that is my truth. Now that he is here, I focus on his smile, his energy and how long he will be able to maintain his innocence before we lift the blinders and show him the ugly part of this world. Before we have to explain that the color of his skin makes him different and not in the best way.
But even though we will have to have the conversation of how he needs to act around law enforcement to survive, my husband and I will build him up to be a proud black man and human being. Even though he will be exposed to the cruelty of racism regardless of how much we try to shield him from it, we will also show him the beauty this world has to offer. And lastly, even though he will have to find his own way in this thing we called life, he will never be truly alone because we will always have his back, side and front.
Before I wrap, I want to highlight the story of #djhenry. This event took place 10 years ago. The officer was never charged. This could've been my husband . . .
DJ was 20-years old. He was a collegiate athlete. He did absolutely nothing wrong.
Silence kills. It kills hearts, souls, people's consciences and people's lives.
We cannot be silent anymore.
Use your voice in whatever way you can, in whatever way you feel comfortable, because this "movement" is not going away. It can't because we need to change this world once and for all - and we will need everyone to do that.
My name is Ilia Jackson. I am an African American Puerto Rican woman, wife and mother. I love magic and romance; I am passionate and loud. I have dreams and goals.
I am a writer.
Thank you for reading. Ilia out.🌙