Speaking Out or Holding In?

So, here we are. The week of protests, riots, Black Lives Matter going viral, and hopefully, a new sense of connection between races in America. 

Cities are raging, the president is ranting and doing photo opps with a Bible, and I'm breaking down in tears at random moments when I analyze my own guilt for not speaking up more. Why exactly did Black Lives Matter feel so marginal in years past? What have I been afraid of? Why was I holding back on social media? These are tough questions to ask myself, let alone, even begin to answer.

I think what I've come up with personally, is that I want to be liked. As much as I truly want to stand up for everyone's right, volunteer to help those in need, and spread education about how we can treat each other better, I'm also afraid of being targeted. Being targeted as something that I'm not. I wanted to have it both ways, and that was selfish. 

In order to combat this selfishness, I'm making a point to educate myself even more about how I can help affect positive change. Here are some resources that I've seen recently:

How to be an Ally from the YWCA
Barak Obama's Advice on Medium

​Whatever you choose to do to help dismantle systemic oppression, make sure to stay safe. We need positive people and voices right now more than ever. 

#blacklivesmatter