August 28 marked the 65th
anniversary of the murder of Emmet Till as a result of systemic violence
stemming from racism. Just five days prior on August 23, we found ourselves trying to make sense of another
senseless incident where a Black American, Jacob Blake, appears victimized
by police violence. And as a result, the protest and violent unrest
continue.
Again, we are again trying to
find solutions to heal our broken hearts and address the voices screaming for
change — real, lasting change and transformation — for our Black Americans to
be seen and treated equally. So many countless deaths. Say their names —
George, Beonna, Aubery, Eric, Treyvon, Sandra, Emmet.
Say their names. When you say
their names, you have to acknowledge their existence. When you say their names,
you have to acknowledge their humanity. When you say their names, you have to
recognize their worth.
Each time I say their names, I see
my son, my father, my brother and my sister.
Do you see me? Can you hear me? Can you see my tears that continuously flow? Can you ever understand the agony, pain and fear behind my tears?
So many countless deaths. We must continue to
say their names. While we all grieve their loss, we hope that each time their
names are said, action is evoked.
However, as the past has taught us, hope alone is not the answer. Hope can fuel the actions we must take to transform our collective future, to develop our collective humanity. That's why so many continue to peacefully protest. We can all can do our part to facilitate critical discussions around race, EQUITY, intolerance, prejudice, injustice and inequality.
Please vote this election. Please don’t let indifference or anger with political rhetoric suffocate or smother our voice. There is too much at stake.
