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*Heavy sigh.

I can’t say that it hasn’t been hard to write this last month with so many issues going on in the world that require my attention in other ways than just putting words to screen.

Still, how I keep abreast of these important human rights issues is due to someone having the courage to put words to screen to tell the truth–no matter how ugly it is–to as many people as a “share” will allow them to.

I read a quote recently that says “if your voice had no power, they wouldn’t try to silence you”–or something to this effect if I didn’t replicate it as accurately as it was said. Therefore, I can understand why now that groups who have historically had their mic cut or muted to the ears of society are running with the momentum they have, and running nonstop now that people can hear them beyond the mic.

We’ve seen what happens when people throw you a few breadcrumbs so you can stop complaining about their loaf. They go right back to turning their heads, because “that’s ‘their’ problem, not mine.” COVID-19 has made it really, really hard for people to keep turning a blind eye.

Healthcare is inadequate and too damn expensive–at least in the U.S.

I don’t care if you don’t believe in masks or vaccines, if you’re taking your germ-riddled ass out in the public–that is, around other people who are not related to you–wear a damn mask. You are not doing it because you “believe in the hype”; you are doing it because you care about the safety of those around you.

Talk is cheap. If you’re going to talk the talk, walk the walk. You put out a statement. Okay. You donated some money. Okay. Now, are you going to ensure your policies and practices in every business you run or own reflect the diversity and inclusivity you say you stand for?

You have to have a “not on my watch” attitude when it comes to making real change, meaning your eyes, your ears, and your body have to be in the trenches and ready to take immediate action.

We have to actually give a damn about other people. You know when something isn’t right. You feel that shit in the pit of your soul. Yeah, it’s scary to get out of your comfort zone and take a risk and speak up and speak out. It was scary when you took your first steps. It was scary when you went to school for the first time. It was scary when you rode your first bike. It was scary when you drove for the first time. It was scary when you moved away from your family for the first time. Living within itself is a scary experience because life, as 2020 as shown us, is fucking unpredictable, and we have no control over it.

But I have control of my mouth and this keyboard. So, I’m going to use them, especially when I see and feel that shit ain’t right. It’s not hard to play fair. It’s not hard to treat people as what they are: a person just like you are.

Black women, I see you. They have a 401-year habit of leaving you behind–in various ways–so you keep going forward, you keep voicing YOU.

WE are US.

Peace.

Health.

Care.

Love.

#nogoingbackwards