On the Run

OTR - | please read ( important message )

Hi best friends,

Please read this, as it discusses important issues and the future of this book.

I hope all is well. I'm writing this to talk about the importance of using your voice and not remaining silent not only during this time but in the future as well. If you are not informed about what has been going on over the past few weeks, I advise you to get informed now. Innocent black lives are being taken at the hands of white police officers and white supremacists like it's nothing and it is very disgusting to see.

While I'm sure you have all seen the peaceful protests that are going on around the country, do not let the news and the media sway you to believe the opposite of what the black community and others are trying to accomplish. This is not a new issue, and it shouldn't be treated as such. The police system is corrupt. I've been studying this for a while and while it gets harder and harder to see that these issues are still taking place today, they must ALWAYS be talked about! BLACK LIVES FUCKING MATTER.

We are valuable, we are powerful, we are everything that they don't want us to be, and that's what makes them sick! We need justice for all of the innocent lives that they have taken from us! Don't listen to the people telling you to calm down when you express your anger over these issues, as if they are not important because they are!

People need to be held accountable for their racist ass actions. No more getting away with it. Shit has been going on for too long, and there are people who still don't get it. The people that like to make claims that situations such as these are not always race-driven or ask questions about why everything has to be about race, shut the fuck up, because THEY FUCKING ARE.

These are the same individuals that are blind to the #BLACKLIVESMATTER movement, and are the main ones that like to talk their ignorant bullshit. White privilege is real and can't no one say that it isn't, so if you are one of the people that have the privilege and the platform to speak up and make a change, DO SO.

PLEASE, if you all can, let your voices be heard, get educated on these topics. DON'T SIT AROUND AND DO NOTHING! Sign petitions, go out and protest (of course, if you are able to, for I understand that this may not be for everyone and that is okay). There are many other things for you to do! Watch informative documentaries, read books, have these difficult conversations with your friends and family, donate! And if you are of age, get out and VOTE. It's very important. Get this racist ass bitch out of office, please. "There is power in numbers." and we can't let him get another four years. All of this affects you too!

Mental health, especially for me, within the black community is ANOTHER IMPORTANT ISSUE. Take your occasional breaks and check up on yourself to make sure that you are good! For me, personally, I found that all of the anger I've been feeling also brought upon other feelings of anxiousness and sadness and I allowed that to consume me over the past couple of days. It is alright to take a break from everything going on. It is alright to take time for yourself! Remember that you matter too!

If you don't have anyone to talk to about how you've been feeling about your mental health or anything in general that has been upsetting you, I am available to talk. Anyone that has messaged me on Wattpad knows that I always respond, so don't be afraid to speak up. Maybe I can offer you some words of encouragement, or provide you with friendly support!

As for the future update(s) for this book:

Some of you have been asking for an update.

I have been holding off on updating. The way the last chapter ended may come off as an obvious reason why. As we all have found out (and if you haven't gotten to this part yet, sorry), Kiandra IS a part of the police force. One of the main trigger warnings that I dropped in the DISCLAIMER section for this book does in fact include police brutality. I will always bring awareness to this issue and many more serious issues in the black community because it seems that people only like to speak out about these things when it is convenient for them.

I've had a chapter written and ready to go for over two weeks now. However, after the sad loss of George Floyd, I wasn't in the mood to post it. It just didn't feel right. Every time my finger hovered above the publish button, I pulled it back. Though this is a work of FICTION, I didn't/don't want to trigger any traumas for anyone, especially during a time like this.

At the same time, I WANT to talk about these issues so that we can bring about conversations that are worth having. These kinds of things happen every day. They need to be talked about. They should always be talked about. Therefore, an update will be appearing soon. Please refer back to the disclaimer that I have posted twice within this book if need be.

BLACK LIVES MATTER and that also includes THE BLACK MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY! I will forever scream that, support that, and breathe that! No justice, no fucking peace. Please continue to say ALL OF THEIR NAMES until they get the justice that they rightfully deserve.

#GEORGEFLYOD #BREONNATAYLOR #TONYMCDADE #AHMAUDARBERY AND SO MANY MORE!

Don't be silenced, y'all. Sending lots of love and positivity to every single one of you! Stay safe!