All the Stars

IMPORTANT

Uhhh... 

Hello?

I really hope you guys are still here. 

Sorry about not writing for so long. I really didn't mean for that to happen. I sort of... lost my writing spark. I kept telling myself, "I'll write tomorrow", and then tomorrow would come and I would tell myself the same thing. Then it got to the point where I felt like I let you guys down too much which made me ignore the book more. 

I have good news though, I finally have my motivation to write again. However, there is one thing I need to talk about before I start writing more chapters. 

While I might not have a big platform, I have one and that's what counts. Even if only one of you actually reads this, that will mean I did my job as an ally. 

There is a terrible disease going on in the United States right now, and it's not COVID-19. I'll give you a hint, it starts with rac and ends in ism. 

Racism has been so deeply rooted in America that when people protest against it, others think they are protesting against America itself. 

I can't imagine the pain that the black community is in right now. I can't even imagine the pain and fear they go through in their daily lives because of racism, and I never will because of the privilege that comes with my skin color. Now people like me could try to sit here and feel their pain and give them our condolences, but that's just not enough. (I mean still try to feel their pain but like do more)

The links I have below will help bring change and/or awareness. If you don't have any money to donate, then sign some petitions. Sign every petition you see. Demand change in your local government and hold your family and friends accountable when they say racist things. 

http://ally.wiki

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

(Those two links don't look like much, but there is more links inside those websites)

You might think that pointing out the small things doesn't matter, but that's not the right mentality!! Change starts with you and your actions!!

Remember this: It's okay to disagree with friends and family about favorite colors or foods, but it's not okay to disagree on HUMAN RIGHTS!

And a PSA to everyone that reads this book, if you support 'blue lives matter' 'all lives matter' or the so-called POTUS, stop reading this book right now. I do not want anyone supporting this book that supports the clownery of those things. Seriously, I won't miss you.

Most importantly, educate yourself! There is always more to learn. Do your own research and LISTEN to people that have experienced racism. 

Here are some more links for educating yourself:

racialequitytools.org

https://linktr.ee/thebasicguide

https://www.marieclaire.com/culture/a32741905/be-a-better-white-ally-black-lives-matter/

Here are some examples of black businesses to support:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/elisabethbrier/2020/06/05/75-black-owned-businesses-to-support/#47b418943814

https://www.supportblackowned.com

Here is a link if you want to hear about the most influential African Americans ages 25-45:

https://interactives.theroot.com/root-100-2019/

Also if there are more links that you think would be good for people to see, comment them! 

If there are more injustices going on right now, comment them! Here are some examples of things the media isn't covering that need attention as well as BLM

- Yemen (not only facing humanitarian crises from hunger and war but also COVID-19 could literally wipe them off the map)

- Our sisters in Poland need help (abortion is being banned/heavily restricted which could mean deaths from unsafe abortion attempts, also it's an invasion of their rights)

-Muslim concentration camps in China (Muslims are being beaten, raped, and forced to eat pork which is against their religion)

Please educate yourself more on these matters! A lot of us have the privilege to just say it's too negative and ignore it, but nobody should be doing that because that is why things like this are still going on.

If you stayed and read the whole spiel above, thank you! If anybody affected by any of these things is reading this, my heart is with you. Feel free to leave comments that could help better educate me and others because no one should be ignorant of what is going on.

Lastly, I am in the middle of writing another chapter. I have to go camping this weekend but I'm hoping to finish it before that. FYI it would be a new second chapter as I feel like some events happened too quickly/I want more character growth for some people *cough cough Dylan* as I've always hated books where the guy is rude then they just start dating. 

#ALLY

#BLM

#BLACKVOICESHEARD

I am not black, but I mourn with you. 

I am not black, but I stand with you. 

I am not black but I HEAR YOU.

I am not black, but I SEE YOU.

Join the revolution and use this as your pfp :)