Now is the time…

Now is the time for the Nation to look back, deep, into the vault that is our American history. To take a moment of genuine reflection into the structures of this country, as well as who the nation’s founders are. The murders of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and those who fell both before them, and,during the fight to protect their names, can and should not be forgotten. As a Black American who is a descendant of previously enslaved people here in America, it is of the utmost importance to me that we honor everyone’s freedom and right to exist. To let everyone walk freely down the street, to rest one’s body in their bed after a hard day of work. To live, laugh, and love. This country, since inception, has been built off the backs of a select few. Whether we are slaves or the working class, we must never forget that. We must never let go of who truly made this country what it is; African Slaves who labored hard for centuries and who have yet to receive any compensation, Native Americans who had their land and culture ripped away from them through genocide, Immigrants who were exploited and are still to this day, underpaid. Freedom is a constant struggle. And we all must make it our sworn duty to protect, uplift, and immortalize our fallen countrymen and women. It is our duty, as those who are willing to survive at all costs, to fight for all freedom. For everyone. This can only happen, I believe, if we can agree on our history — on what has all brought us here. If we can look back and grapple with the lack of justice, the lack of equity, and lack of agency over our bodies, and how that has led us to this very time in our history. Then, perhaps a full healing can be achieved. Perhaps we can see the day where the words, “Liberty and justice for all”, are not empty hallowed shells meant to impress us. But rather, a true statement that we all swear our lives to. The words should be a testament to the love we hold for each other. It should be a creed to live by that everyone strives to make true. Now and in the future. I hope we can learn our lesson as a nation soon. Too many lives have been at risk and will continue to be at risk until we do.