WE CAN'T BREATHE.
(A short piece from my blog). One of the main reasons why I began this blog, and why I want to become a journalist is to talk about issues that affect everyday life, often issues which people are too scared to talk about. One of these issues being racism. The recent murder of George Floyd, is just one of many unjust murders that happens as if it were the norm. I think the case of George Floyd has particularly resonated with me, because even though a pandemic is killing many, racism is still the biggest disease. And if this is not a big enough reason to realise that racism is a problem, seek help. "You will have to work 10 times as hard to be as successful as your white peers" - I remember being told from a young age. We could be just as smart as them, but their white privilege will always ensure that they have the upper hand. Especially as a black woman, we are conditioned to believe that we are the weakest - yet this is so far from the truth. Whenever we speak out we are also labelled as "aggressive", which is why I may sometimes not say anything, but it gets to the point when you have been silent for too long. I can already hear people proclaiming "we have to work hard too". Let us just take into account that "black people who leave school with A-levels typically get paid 14.3 per cent less than their white peers". To some, this may not seem like a lot, but when we make up a tiny minority, the number is far too large. https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/race-report-statistics My parents have worked extremely hard to make sure I have a good life, as well as my grandparents who were part of the Windrush generation, hoping to benefit the lives of their families, whilst facing discrimination. Both of my grandmothers (along with the majority of black females) became nurses here, helping individuals with no respect for them, yet they had no option but to work hard. I have also dealt with racist comments; often sweeping them under the carpet, as the comments were not “as bad“ as other black individuals have experienced. Often telling myself that I should count myself lucky that I have not been physically attacked for the colour of my skin. But, why? Just because my situation is not as bad as others, why should I simply just ignore what could one day escalate into something more? Take in the fact that the US abolished slavery 155 years ago. Yes, we have come a long way, but this is not enough. Ignorance is not bliss. If you are scared of losing "friends" for speaking up for what really matters, were they even your friends? Below is a site that lists many ways to support the movement. blacklivesmatter.carrd.co photo in thumbnail - "Black Lives Matter - We Won't Be Silenced - London's Oxford Circus - 8 July 2016." by alisdare1 is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0