Conversations For Change

I want to spread as much love, kindness and positivity to the world as I can, but I also want to learn. If you have anything to add, educate or have another suggestion of how to show support, please leave a comment or direct message for me and I will listen. Thank you for taking the time to read what I have to say. I'm not perfect. I might make a mistake, as I have in the past. All I ask is that, whether with me or your other peers, when we have discussions about racism and equality we open our minds to different points of view. We all have so much to learn from each other and our lived experiences.

• take notice of and accept what we were ignorant of before

• commit to making changes in our personal lives that will appropriately effect the way we treat others

• be respectful of those who are trying to understand the issues at hand

• support and speak up for those whose voices are not being heard

Until now I've been quiet online and on my social media pages about the Black Lives Matter movement. When George Floyd was killed, there was outrage all across the US and around the world. I've never witnessed so much activism for civil rights. People of various backgrounds and cultures banded together to make a change. I'm inspired now looking back at the events of recent months, but as I was living through these events I felt numb and overwhelmed. I was shocked when the protests started in Eugene. This movement became real and I didn't feel safe. Me! A white girl! There was violence in the streets of the place I call home and I felt helpless. I didn't yet understand how these protests would help to bring about awareness of the systemic racism rooted in our country. I was disturbed by the violence and destruction of property that was happening in order to grab our attention.

It has taken me a long time to check my privilege and educate myself on how black lives are discriminated against in our society, and also how the color of my own skin has given me the privilege to "stay out of politics" until now. I want to do my part to further the momentum of the Black Lives Matter movement. I am publicly voicing my opinion because I want people to see the reach and scope of our conversations. Although I have been quiet; I have been watching and listening. Every article shared, video posted, experience voiced, image put on your story, blog written, etc. I promise you are reaching someone and what you have to share is important.

This is only one small way to get involved, but I know it's meaningful and crucial to keep communications flowing. As I am being transparent, I want to add that yes I recognize that by sharing this blog, it makes me feel better about myself and I'm glad that my peers will know what I believe in. However I want to know the same about you. It doesn't matter who you are or your involvement up to this point. We can empower each other and share in the confidence that our peers support the need for change.

This is not about me. This is about all of us. It's about the way we treat others and how we can come together to enact positive change. This is about black lives. I commit to standing up for equality. I commit to vote!

My Growing Reading List:

White Fragility -- Robin DiAngelo

How To Be An Anti-racist -- Ibram X. Kendi

Me & White Supremacy -- Layla Saad

I'm Still Here -- Austin Channing Brown

Pondering Privilege -- Jody Wiley Fernando

---

Ps. If you plan to vote by mail this year, please mail your ballot no later than October twentieth to ensure that your vote reaches its destination on time and is counted because your vote counts!

Click here to register to vote.