Juneteenth
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." -Nelson Mandela
We live in a time where the color of our skin determines the quality of life we will live. To those who choose to stay silent while there is an ongoing revolution, a long overdue one, your silence puts you on the side of the oppressors. White supremacy is not just a racist belief but where a black person has to work twice as hard to receive half the reward a white person was too. This is the America we live in.
The next time someone is ecstatic about being an American, I hope he or she understands that being an American comes with hundreds of years of corruption that still has not been undone. This is the America we live in.
June 19, 2020, will forever be a historic day as Juneteenth is recognized amongst educational facilities, workplaces, and the people. This day marks the emancipation of African American slaves from the confederate states in 1865. It marks the beginning of the commemoration of their freedom and achievements that allowed America to progress. Without their contributions, we would not be where we are today. Let's not forget the dark side of history where even the White House was built on the backs of slaves. Or their contribution to food, music, and pop culture. Everyone wants to bathe in their success but very few want to fight for their equality.
Although Juneteenth is now widely recognized throughout the country, it does not mean that a black man driving a Maserati, with his windows down, won't be pulled over by a white police officer just to see license and registration. It is the twenty-first century, we would think people who signed up to protect the American people who do just that, protect. Instead, we hear about extremely disgusting situations such as George Floyd left and right, he is not the first man to be killed in the hands of a police officer and the reality is that he is not the last. But this does not mean the revolution ends here. A revolution pushes for fundamental change and it does not happen immediately but through consistency.
The only way to make sure the lives lost to police brutality and white supremacy meant something to Americans, regardless of their skin color, is to continue the journey we are on. Not every day will be a win but every day is a reason to return tomorrow, change may not happen within a month or even a year but it will happen.
In meanwhile, I, Yusra Butt, am not a black woman so I could never possibly understand the turbulences that the black community has faced and overcome but I can try to do my part. The black community has always stood in solidarity with others in times of need, I hope Americans can recognize that and use their privilege to call for universal reform. Support black businesses, check in on your friends, and in the era of social media, there are numerous ways to help.
The lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, and the individuals that were never brought to justice did not and will not die in vain. Various organizations and petitions are circulating, please continue to donate, sign petitions, and do your part as a person with privilege.
