Hey y'all! My name is Nadia and I am proud to say I'm from Atlanta, Georgia! Growing up as a brown girl in the south taught me many lessons, a mix of good and bad. As a minority and a girl I've faced harsh judgement of my style, and mannerisms from others. When I wore my natural kinky curls, luscious locs or box braids I was faced with dirty looks from society. My ethnic features, the way I spoke, my choice of music and taste in food was not always welcomed or loved by the people around me. This petty judgement pales in comparison to the years of systematic racism black people in America face. If you do not know the stories of Trayvon Martin, Sandra Bland,Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray, Ahmaud Arbery, George Floyd, and Breonna Taylor please familiarize yourself with them.
The tragic deaths of all the people I listed are a result of senseless murder and injustice. Unfortunately the number of police brutality victims are countless and this is not anything new. For years black american communities have been over policed and under protected. Police brutality is nothing new, it is just being filmed so now the world has no choice but to look. If you are unfamiliar with this topic I suggest educating yourself. The history of black people in america and around the world is a lot more than what watered down text books show you.
If you research box braids, fulani braids, dashikis, traditionally African food, the origin of hip-hop, the origin of the blues and RnB, reggae music, and batchata dance, you will find a beautiful culture created by a unique group of people.
Now if you research institutionalized racism, how minority communities are disproportional incarcerated, the extensive victims of police brutality, Jim Crow laws, the Black Wall Street massacre, and the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, you will find an extensive list of injustices against the black community that continues to affect the black community. Surrounding the recent events, the world is starting to see what the black community has been facing for generations.
If these injustices upset you there are so many ways to help. First, become informed! A few Netflix shows and movies you can watch for a little more understanding are The Help, The 13th, the Racial Divide, Mudbound, the Black Godfather, and They've Gotta Have Us. For further understanding there are many articles and books on the topic. Secondly, have conversations! If you aren't black but want understanding, make the effort to have conversations with your black friends. We are all living and experiencing life together but speaking with someone that has a different perspective from you is essential for learning. My last bit of advice is the find resources! There are many rallies and peaceful protests you can attend. If attending a protest in a city near you is not possible, there are many petitions that need to be signed and foundations you can donate to! Make any effort you can to encourage change in the world.
One of our founders, Amanda Kopelman, has compiled resources and petitions to sign. Please take a few minuets out of you day to check them out and sign a few petitions and/or donate.