For the longest time, I didn’t know how to describe my feelings about being Black in America. I am very sensitive about it. I am very upset with it. I am incredibly disgusted that we still have to talk about race in America and around the world in 2020.
I grew up in Ethiopia. I came to the U.S. to attend college and like most of my international student peers at the time, I never experienced racism until I set foot in the “freest” country in the world.
I was a black immigrant woman that went to school in the coldest, most racially insensitive towns of Minnesota. Mankato! Yes, there were a lot of international students, but not all professors and faculty members knew how to address me. I thought it odd to be treated differently than some of my non-black friends and peers. But, when you come to a foreign country away from your family and friends and are afforded a college education, you don’t really think too much about it. You just keep your head low, do what you can until you graduate and leave for good. Which is what I did.
But, then I joined the work force and moved to Washington, D.C. I became more aware of what being Black in America means as it related to social injustice, profiling, inequality, and all of the killings of both black men and women. Being black in America is dangerous. Every time I listened to the news talk about a black man’s life lost to an officer, it left a scar. The most painful part of those stories, is how all of the lives lost never actually got justice. We keep fighting for our true freedom. Our liberty.
When will our freedom ever be actualized? Will it ever?
When will the killings stop?
When will our pain be felt?
When will our voices be heard?
When will our efforts be realized?
When will we stop being threats?
When will our lives start to matter?
When will we truly be free?
So many of us have been quiet for far too long. Some of us say it is not our fight. Some of us say it is too political. Some of us are scared if we say anything, we might lose our jobs. There is nothing in this world worth fighting for than freedom. No matter who you are, or where you live … if you value righteousness, and stand against racism, subconscious bias, inequality, and injustice -- say something. Be the voice for those who aren’t being heard. Create a platform. Donate. Support black owned businesses. Educate yourself about being Black in America. Talk about it.
Talking about being Black in America will get uncomfortable, but no change came from being comfortable.
A revolution is not completed in just taking one step. Some are talking to friends and family. Some are peacefully protesting out in the streets. Some are sharing their feelings and outrage on social media. Some are donating silently. Some are voting. Whatever your strategy is, take it and stand by it.
Standing up for injustice shouldn’t be violent. It shouldn’t be egotistical. It shouldn’t be about wealth. It shouldn’t be about politics. It shouldn’t be filled with anger. As MLK put it, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Racism doesn’t stop with ending police brutality. It is observed in our workplaces, in our neighborhoods, in our restaurants, in our banks, in our schools and universities, in our political system, in Hollywood, and more. We need to work towards changing hearts, perspectives, privileges. We need to demand change from our legislators and our government that should be protecting us all equally.
Stand with us! Black lives matter. And remember --
Being black is not a crime.
If you would like to donate to these some of these causes, below are a few links: