Black Lives Matter. I feel like I cannot go on without addressing the real issues right now. (Which is pretty sad, considering the President of the United States hasn’t even addressed us and we’re about 5 months in since the world went to shit.)
Although from the outside I may not appear the mega activist, I know my role. This is a group effort of change and we all must work together. For those who don’t know me personally, I feel deeply. I take the time to listen to myself and I have heard the message repeatedly that I am a bridge. I am a bridge from people I meet directly and indirectly to the larger view of the world. I am a communicator, I interpret, and I relay messages in a way that reaches people. I help them understand, and see how they can influence our future for the good. Everyone feels better when they are helping others. At large, yes, spending an afternoon cleaning the beach or volunteering at a homeless shelter will leave you feeling a certain kind of bliss, but so does casting your vote during elections and shopping locally and from Black-owned businesses. As much as the world is changing right now, some people need a little more direction on exactly how to help the change. I help them bridge the gap.
And actually, for as long as I can remember, that is what I have always done. Bridge the gap for people. I think of solutions to problems that others don’t see, but to me seem so obvious. During this time, I do have recommendations for people who are looking to get involved and help be the change. It is interesting that this opportunity for growth has come at a time when we all have more time on our hands. Let’s use it wisely while we have it.
Read.
Educate yourself. The best armor to shield yourself in this battle is knowing what you are talking about when you choose to speak. Read Black stories. Share Black stories, too, but read them first. And I don’t mean read all these poppy articles about the Black Lives Matter Movement. Read the originals! Read books! Can’t afford books? Get a library card! Anyone can get one, the public libraries are free. I currently have four different library cards in different counties, which gives me more book options. You can utilize their online resources to place books on hold, and then go pick them up at the library instead of wondering around looking for books you want to check out. I will list below some of the best books I would recommend by Black authors that have touched me and taught me so much.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings – Maya Angelou
Between the World and Me – Ta-Nehisi Coates
Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin – Sabrina Fulton & Tracy Martin
Speak.
Speak up. Use your voice. If you hear your friend say something inappropriate, it is your job to say something to let them know it is not ok. This can be said in a very loving way, which is key. You are trying to help them and all of us, as we are all one, and it’s love to hold others accountable. Now is the time.
Also, speak up when you have something to say. When you find a resource that speaks to you, share it on your social media profiles. Send it to your friends and family. Emails, texts, posts. The best way you can help is to talk about the issues. Do not run or hide. Face these problems, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. Encourage others to get uncomfortable, too. We are all needed to create these changes. Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it.
Spend.
We all know we spend money we don’t need to spend, so why not use that money to support Black businesses. You can make simple changes to create a big impact. Stop buying books from Amazon. Spend 5 extra minutes to Google “Black-owned restaurants near me”. Stop getting your coffee at Starbucks. Find a local, Black-owned coffee shop to get your coffee from. Concerned about not having a drive through? Well, wake up earlier and create the extra time you need or skip the coffee and just make some at home. I would rather not buy coffee out than give money to a corporation. Spend some time thinking about this small choice. Your money shows your values. Where you spend your dollar says a lot. Put in the effort to make it say that you care. You care about us. I care about us. It’s us against big corporations, not us against us, not you against me. These “small” changes time after time are going to create change. I cannot emphasize this enough.
Vote.
I will be straight and real – I wanted Andrew Yang to be the presidential candidate. #YangGang #Yang2024.
But on the real, real, this world will never be able to create the changes that are needed while Trump is President. He will never help us. He is not on our side. He does not care about us.
The biggest thing you can do this year is VOTE in the 2020 Presidential Election for Joe Biden. I know he isn’t our top choice, but trust me, we can get more change from him than we can from Trump. I am scared to see a world where Trump serves two terms as President, and he is going to do everything he can to make that a reality. He has already spoke about postponing the election due to the Pandemic. We have already seen extremely long polling lines during the Midterms. Not to mention, the system itself is already set up against the working class, as many people have to work during the voting times. The best and easiest thing you can do is register to vote by mail. And look into Andrew Yang for 2024 for some real big changes.
Alright, I have said my piece, now back to the music.
The Hub Hayley 