Like most people, I am simply tired. Not the tired that we all experience on a normal basis from either work, school, kids, adult chores, working out, cooking, etc. But tired from all of the events that have happened over the past 3 months. Like others, my life has legit changed in ways that I would have never imagined. I am not working from home and had to pivot my home/relaxing/refueling space to my office/Zoom meetings/planning space and that along was not a simple task. I have always been the type of person that I will stay in the office late and get all items done vs taking things home. I have worked hard to make my space relaxing and one that I can take the stress of the day off of me, so to have work now be in that space is tiring.
COVID-19 is tiring and so is watching the racism and injustice being done to Black people in this county is tiring! I do find it ironic that it took COVID-19 to stop people from moving to really focus in on the treatment of Black people when it comes to police brutality and racism. Don’t get me wrong, I am not happy that COVID-19 happened by any means, it has caused a shift in the way we used to do normal activities (like grocery shop, dinner dates, sporting events and even attend weddings) and has caused so many deaths and sickness around the world, but what I have done is forced people to stop and see how Black people are treated in this country (& for that I am grateful). For the first time in history, all states have all protested against police brutality and standing up for George Floyd and so many others.
But it is tiring. Tired of seeing the hundreds of vides surface about George Floyd, Ahmaud Aubrey, and Breonna Taylor. Tired of having to protest for the same things our Parents, Grandparents, and Great-Grandparents protested for. Tired of seeing racist comments, remarks, videos from people (not just White people) about how we are all ni**ers and thugs. Tired of White People getting upset about #BlackLivesMatter. Tired of companies now realizing that they have an issue with racism. Tired of organizations like NFL now back peddling. Tired of it always being Black vs. every other race. Tired of always having to tone down who I am so that I do not offend others. Tired of having to explain that the way Black people are treated in this country is not ok. Tired of having to cater to Police to avoid getting killed. Tired of not being able to live life as the White people do in this country.
If you can’t tell, I’m simply tired.
But what's interesting is that I am also hopeful. Hopeful that all of the companies that have posted and donated to Black communities and injustices are in it for the long run and not just a short term fix. I am hopeful that we have gained several new allies in the fight for Civil Rights. I am hopeful that the world has finally seen Trump for who he is and will make the right decision in November. I am hopeful that this is the wake-up call that all police officers needed that we will no longer accept injustice. I am hopeful that we will actually see change. Hopeful that my children will no longer have to fight for things that should be every human right.
I’m tired, yet I have hope. Faith. Those things will in fact change.
I guess for now all we can do is be a part of the change. Do our part by protesting, signing petitions, donating to causes, and refusing to buy from businesses who are not a part of bettering this nation. Remember it took Rosa Park and the Bus Protest took 381 days and I am willing to do whatever I can for however long it takes to see real change happen. I hope that you are too!
Love,
Brown Girl