Where I’ve Been

06/09/20
I have been silent on this blog for a while, and today I wanted to address why I haven't posted and what I have been up to. 

I have spent the past week or so, listening, learning, crying and having really tough conversations. It felt wrong to post about frivolous bullshit on any platform, but especially on my blog, in the midst of a civil rights movement. So, today I'm going to share my thoughts and feelings surrounding my own white privilege and Black Lives Matter.

Here Is The Truth

I have lived a very sheltered and privileged life. I come from a white suburban middle class family, I attended a predominately caucasian public high school and I live in a town where most people look like me. Even though, the majority of my close friends growing up, were not white, I unfortunately, lived in my own universe, either oblivious or ignorant to the world around me. Acknowledging the privilege given to me, solely based on the color of my skin, does not mean that I have effortlessly glided my way through life, but it does mean that I haven't had to overcome the added obstacle of prejudice or racism along the way. 

I would like to believe that I am an intelligent and fair human being, but I have been ignoring a huge part of my life, which has been keeping me from being fully self aware. My alabaster skin, my sexual preference, my socio economic status, and my gentile name, non of which I have control over, have all given me a leg up in life. It's time that I use my privileged voice to speak up and advocate for those who have been overlooked and silenced. 

George Floyd was not the first black man to have his life taken by police brutality, and his death was not the only one that was shared on social media, but it was the first one that the majority of us have paid attention to. That vile public execution was murder and we should all be outraged. Everyone needs to be incensed that a white police officer knelt on a black man's neck for about nine minutes, while three other officers, who are supposed to protect civilians, stood there and watched a murder take place. We should all be sick and tired of racism. We should be all be sick and tired of police brutality. We should all be sick and tired of senseless murder. But, apparently and regrettably not everyone is sick and tired of this bullshit. 

Not everyone believes that black lives matter or that we have a problem with systemic racism in this country. Other people also try to argue that not all cops are bad while they express their anger over the destruction of property in cities across the country. I have noticed though, that those same people who are irate over looting and riots, march in Washington in the hopes that the government will overturn Roe v Wade. What I do not understand, is that if you are there advocating for the life of human zygotes, why are you not just as passionate about the murders of innocent black men and women? Things can be replaced, lives cannot. Isn't that the platform of Pro-Life? If you believe that all lives truly matter, then why are you louder about stolen goods than a stolen lives? 

If you are pissed off about riots and looting, have you taken a moment to understand why these acts are happening? Where the pain and frustration is coming from? Where was this same anger, when the Eagles won the Super Bowl and "fans" decimated the city? Are you mad that people are looting and rioting or are you mad because that's not the protesting you're comfortable with? Do yourself a favor and Google the Boston Tea Party for a little refresher on American history. 

To those people who hold these beliefs, you are ignorant and you are taking advantage of your privilege by ignoring what is going on outside of your cushy provincial white bubble. Your silence is compliance, and it is imperative that you pay attention to the problems that plague, black and brown people in this country. All lives will not matter until black lives do. Peaceful protests were ignored. But, how can anyone ignore the screams and cries that are persistent and loud, from people that are dying to be heard and valued? 

To be clear, I don't stand for violence and I don't support it, but at least we are all fucking paying attention. American's in general have an insanely short attention span. We and myself included, have a tendency to pay attention to problems and take up causes for a short while and then we are distracted by something else. We can not get distracted from this civil rights movement! Laws must be put in place to hold those who are supposed to protect us, accountable for their actions! If we, do not campaign for change and equality, then we have failed our black and brown brothers and sisters and we have failed ourselves. 

I have learned that the effects of slavery are still felt in this country today, and while we'd like to believe the narrative that we live in the land of the free, where all men are equal, that statement is categorically untrue until black lives matter. Advocating for black lives, does not take away the importance of your own. I have also learned, that I am not perfect. I need to diversify the content I consume and the brands I purchase from because my world is white washed, and I am now aware of that. It is my responsibility to create new habits and educate myself, as it is yours. 

Lastly, I want to encourage my friends and family to take action, regardless of the backlash you might face from those who don't agree. Sign local and national petitions demanding change and justice for victims of violence and racism. If you haven't registered to vote, it is vital that you do. Vote in local and national elections, because if we have learned anything these past couple of weeks, it is that your voice matters. Join peaceful protests and donate when you can. Keep sharing the truth, especially since it seems to be excluded from the news. Engage in difficult conversations, because we have to, we need to. Because we can’t ignore racism anymore. 

Most importantly, never ever back down or shut up about the causes that you believe in. 

xoxo, 

Kelly