Have you ever existed inappropriately? Was there ever an issue with the way your skin woke up in the morning? Your hair ever curl so tightly it threaten an officer’s gun to set it straight?
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Racism is hierarchically systemic. It is bred through generations. To everyone that is not black or brown that says “I understand” or “I am just as angry” or “I’m just as hurt”... you’re wrong. I understand your desire to align yourself with a cause against injustice, your desire to improve a society designed to uplift your privilege and belittle our existence but I promise you, you do not understand.
I promise you that even our traffic stops are different. ••Have you ever been pulled over for driving 2 miles over the speed limit and asked to step out of the vehicle and into the police vehicle until your license checks out? •• Ever asked “what’s illegal in the car?” Not “is there anything..” no no no... The full set of phrases was “I don’t care about speeding, I’m here for the drugs and the guns. What’s illegal in the car?” •• Ever had guns drawn on you because you stepped out of your vehicle to wait on someone as the cops “happened” to be coming around the corner? •• Ever followed by officers for something other than your safety? •• Ever been refused service at a gas station in a predominantly white neighborhood? Or a 7Eleven in a predominantly white neighborhood? Or anywhere? Not because you were behaving in an inappropriate manner, but because you exist. The answer my non black or brown friends, is no. You have not experienced the world as a fearful place from those hired and trained to protect and serve you. You have never been denied anything based solely on the color of your skin. This is my everyday life, this is the everyday life of your black friends. So while we appreciate you as allies, please do not attempt to claim understanding. The best understanding that you can have is NOT understanding why we can’t all truly be equal. Stand in that, align with us through that lens. And to those of you that think equality exists, you are wrong. Not only are you wrong, we also are tired of attempting to teach you what is right. #BlackoutTuesday
Life is fragile. We’ve seen it time and time again, something happens, someone passes, we mourn for a period of time, the world moves on even if we don’t. .
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Whether it’s visiting the site where I went airborne and totaled my car years ago, driving past a cemetery, walking past a hospital room that someone was once in, one thing is consistent... the world keeps moving, people keep moving, people become thoughts, names, mentions, memories...
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I say all of this to say, what will you leave behind? Strive for something great so that when you become a mention, it is a mention of greatness. .
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The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy. Being made in God’s image it is our duty to Live, Give & Create...
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#dedication #hardwork plus #patience #ripnip
Sometimes you gotta resurface your purpose. Don’t block your own vision for the pleasure of others. Smooth shot of The Closers on an early mountain morning. 📸: #shotbyYen #siblings #vision
To the man that provides me with the most attention and the most annoyance lol. I love you to the moon and back. It’s been a growth filled, memory building ride. I wouldn’t trade you if I could. Here’s to another year for us ❤️. #anotherone #forthoseofyouthatsubscribedtotherumors
