only human ― s.r.

BLM

Hello everyone,

Please don't skip this chapter. I know it has nothing to do with the story and quite frankly, my schedule is fucked up, but that's not why we're here right now.

I have decided to write this chapter because over the course of a couple of weeks, this story has earned over 2,000 reads and therefore I have a platform I feel obligated to use to speak up about what's currently happening.

Couple of days ago, George Floyd was brutally murdered — yes, murdered — by a white police officer in Minneapolis.

Footage of the arrest shows a white police officer, Derek Chauvin, kneeling on George's neck while he was pinned to the floor. Chauvin has since been charged with murder.

The key events that led to Mr Floyd's death happened within just 30 minutes.

I refuse to stay silent about this, and so should you! What happened to George Floyd happens to many, many other black people on America. They're being shot and killed by white police for committing crimes white people would never get arrested for.

Black people are being treated as worth less than the white part of the population. There's not better word for it: it's oppression. And if you refuse to take part in speaking up about the fucked up shit that's happening to literal human beings just because their skin color is different, you have already taken the side of the oppressor. Period!

Now, I have to say, I don't know and will never know what it's like to fear for my life while walking the streets, going shopping or getting pulled over by a cop. That's why I won't claim I understand what black people are currently going through; I don't! But I can try to spread awareness of the racism and the violence directed towards them, and try to show people that it's time we stand up — even is white people — stop seeing skin color and try making a change. Because I can't condone what's happening and I fucking won't condone what's happening, and will try to use this platform to share some important things in this time of need.

Black people need our support in this fight. They need us to stand alongside them, listen to what they want and what they're fighting for, and then support them.

Of course, we all have troubles. We all have things that make us feel powerless. But white privilege isn't about that. It doesn't mean our pain is worth less, it just means someone else's is more severe. And whoever doesn't see this, can get the fuck out; you do not deserve to be here or anywhere, for that matter!

I am being very angry and disappointed here, which I hope you can hear loud and clear.

Something has to happen!

I want to explain to you guys what white privilege is real quick:
Like I said, white privilege doesn't mean that your problems are not important, it just means that someone else's are more severe.

If I, a white person, would try to pay with a forged $20 bill, there's little chance the employee of the store would even call the police. And even if they did, the police would only lecture me. They would be kind, smile and after taking on the case, they would leave. They wouldn't threaten me with a gun, arrest me or kneel on my neck until I can't breathe. Because I'm white and in the eyes of racists, that automatically makes me a good person. Black people, on the other end, are viewed as scum; thugs.

I have a privilege that doesn't make me fear for my life. Black people aren't so lucky, and that's what pisses me off. White people finally need to realize how privileged they are and then use that privilege to help those who aren't. Only then we can achieve some sort of equality and bring down the racist politicians.

This whole situation takes a toll on not only their safety but their mental health, as well. Black people live in fear. They are being convinced that they are worth less — which they are not — than the majority of the population. They are being oppressed and basically taken apart, stripped off their pride and culture. It's not fair!

So if you decide to protest or riot, I won't stop you. If I were to live in the US, I would most certainly protest alongside you. And for the first time I feel quite lucky to live safely in another country, but that's not the point right now!

The point is that the protests are a great way to stand together, as long as you try to do it safely and take precautions. We're all human beings and should all equally be treated as such.

The least we can do is take risks. That much we owe black people for the centuries of oppression. Taking risks and standing side by side. It's time we take this into our own hands and fight for what's right.

Thank you for reading this!

Please stay safe. I love you guys.

xo, Lisa.