“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” -Martin Luther King Jr.

George Floyd.
On May 25, a 46-year-old black man was killed by Minneapolis police officers. Floyd was accused, by a grocery clerk, of writing a bad check. An officer held him down with his knee to Floyd’s neck for minutes. The police continued as Floyd lost consciousness and two other policemen watched. Floyd was heard saying “I can’t breath” several times as bystanders begged the police to let him go, but the officers refused.

Breonna Taylor.
On March 13 in Louisville, KY, a 26-year-old black woman Breonna Taylor died. Taylor was an essential worker helping save lives. She was killed in the middle of the night, in her own home by police. Three white officers broke into the wrong apartment, in the wrong neighborhood, looking to arrest a suspect they already had in custody.

Ahmad Arbery.
On February 23 a 25-year-old black man named Ahmad Arbery was out for a run near his neighborhood in Brunswick, Georgia when he was chased, shot, and killed by two white men claiming they were making a citizen’s arrest.

“Racism is not getting worse, its getting filmed.” -Will Smith

Floyd, Taylor, and Arbery are only a few examples of the widespread racism black people face in our nation. Lately, it feels as though we are drowning in grief and sorrow reading story after story of innocent black people losing their lives due to the prejudice and bigotry woven into our nation’s society. It is hard to even watch the news. What is going on is wrong. We are not living in the 1800’s era of slavery, or the 1900’s era of Jim Crow laws, this is 2020…and we need change. For that reason, I urge whoever is reading this to take action, it is our turn, our time, to fix the injustice in our nation.

What can you do?

Spread Awareness:
Don’t be afraid to talk with family members or friends about what is going on and raise awareness. Many people have taken to social media to spread awareness, and if you have a following/platform to post about this topic I highly recommend doing so.

Support Anti-Racism Organizations:
Consider donating to organizations such as NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, and Black Youth Project 100.

Sign Petitions To Show Support And Hold People Accountable:
#JusticeForFloyd petition https://act.colorofchange.org/sign/justiceforfloyd_george_floyd_minneapolis
#JusticeForBre petition
https://action.justiceforbreonna.org/sign/BreonnaWasEssential/
#JusticeForAhmaud petition
https://www.change.org/p/district-attorney-tom-durden-justice-for-ahmaud-arbery-i-run-with-maud

Donate money to the families who have lost loved ones:
Floyd Donations
https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd
Ahmaud Donations
https://www.gofundme.com/f/i-run-with-maud

Contact Government Officials:
Find your representative using this link, and discuss this issue with them so they can create/pass legislation that reflects your beliefs. https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative