As a native to Minneapolis, the murder of George Floyd devasted me. For a long time even today still I feel sadness, anger, hurt, and more. These feelings put me in a trance and of course, PTSD however, I wanted to do something. I wish I could have marched the streets with my people. I wanted to fight and hurt the infiltrators. Eventually, I had to gather myself to figure out how I could help.

But sometimes it is hard to wrap your head around what to do it and how to do it.

With that being said, sometimes simple can be so profound. One of the things that blow my mind away is how artists- visual, musical, etc use their powers on their platforms to make statements. As an English teacher, writer, and artist, I am always inspired by creatives.

I thought of a few ways that I help and came up with a few:

1. High School Educator/Mentor/Role Model- I like to believe that I am helping in the preventative state, empowering young people to think for themselves, own their power through their words and actions, and act as a guide and example. My classroom is rarely just an English lesson, I make sure they are up to date with current events, speak the truth, ask them questions, and more.
2. Blogger-I have always used my platform to uplift others, mainly black people, the ones who are also making a difference in others’ lives. Promoting their businesses, sharing their art, giving them a place to share their story.
3. Honor those that had their lives unjustly taken at the hands of those that hate our melanin. How do we remember them… I have seen art, protests, policymakers, and more to fight against a system that was set up for us to stay in shackles.

I am sure there are more… but what about you? Do you have a challenge?

I recently visited the SAYTHEIRNAMES Memorial in Dallas, TX where there were black pillars lined in rows. On those pillars displayed 4 black and white photos of black people murdered at the hands of police and civilians.

The reason for the memorial is because these beautiful bodies were taken unjustly and have yet to receive any justice but really, how is there justice when people see black boys, girls, women, and men as animals actually lower than animals and to feel they have the right and are justified to take these bodies.

This video shows you the #SayTHEIRNames memorial. Flowers were donated and people could take them to put on their memorials. People use their voice, their creative ways, finances and more to help.

Here are 5 Things You Can Do To Use Your Voice And Advocate for What Is Needed

1. Have HONEST discussions and don’t feel the need to censor yourself. OF course, respectfulness goes a long way but speak your truth!
2. VOTE- Yall, we not only need you to vote but lobby, get people to vote, gather folks to gather others to make sure people can get access!
3. Promote and share the truth- be careful of the types of messages you are sending and sharing. If others are speaking up, make sure to support that and share.
4. Volunteer and be mentors- I am all about prevention but we need people at every level.
5. Create- Art, stories, music, and more. Use your platform to elevate and educate! You can submit your work to Kindred Creatives Zine. You can also take this course, Creative Memoirs to help you use your voice to stay UNCENSORED!

BONUS
SPREAD LOVE AND NOT HATE!

I hope you are encouraged! Let me know what you are doing and what we can do in the comments.

Looking forward to this conversation!

Peace and Blessings,
CicelyRenee