I remember the summer of 2015 like it was yesterday. The most striking memory of this summer was when the indictment of St. Louis police officer Darren Wilson; with the result of him not being charged in the shooting of unarmed 18 year-old Michael Brown in 2014. While this event is taking place I only had one question: Do black lives really matter? During this time period BLM (BlackLivesMatter) was still a small movement with no more than four black slain bodies on it's belt.
As the seconds, minutes, and hours passed I came to a disturbing and sad conclusion to the question I asked myself some time earlier. This conclusion was that black lives never had and never will matter in this country. I must admit not yet hitting 21 at the time it took a real good while to digest this. Knowing that a system that is suppose to serve and protect you was never design to. Realizing this hurts, and hurts bad.
Most parents (of other backgrounds) tell their children "If you ever have any trouble call the police." However most parents of African-American/or Hispanic descent can't tell their children this at all. Some of this is due to generational hatred along with police discrimination. While watching the news I felt a fire that burnt in my stomach that was so hot that if I was to scream my TV could've exploded. After witnessing this I knew I needed to do something and the fire in my stomach would help me. How would I achieve this personal goal of mine was still a matter of questioning.
Sadly some time has passed than, which means more dropped indictments and more slain black bodies. BLM has been at the forefront of the issues to the point that Presidential candidates such as Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton had to listen. Personally I'm surprised that there even is a BLM because when it went to discussing current race relations in this country our "First Black President" failed to tackle the issue in a concrete manner. This problem was not just happening in one state or city but on a national level.
For some awkward reason I see the downtrodden inner-city youth rising up creating a new movement or renaissance. Under a new administration led by a sexist, racist, self-centered billionaire who only cares for himself the youth is going to need to learn hoe to practice unity. At age 22 I am still at outrage with my country along with my countrymen that stand by it's horrendous laws and policies. Being an adult I feel a heavy obligation that weighs on my shoulders to tell and show younger generations the true nature of our system.
The United States of America, a land that I'm at war with non-stop is showing it's weapons full force. The only thing I have to say is bring it on. Bring it.
Every person of youth has some boots to put on, along with helmets to buckle. For the next four years we are really in for it. Let's get ready folks.-1/20/2017
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