JUSTICE FOR FLOYD (Patreon)

I know this is not what my platform may be for, but it’s what I’m going to use it for today.

I’m more than confident that the recent news has weighed on everyone heavily. It’s devastating. There’s no way that it couldn’t be. I know that I’ve personally cried several times reading the news this past week.

Aside from the murder of George Floyd, the effects of this brutality, and the effects of systematic racism in America, something horrifying to me in itself is the fact that there were several bystanders.

Please, please, please hold onto these feelings and use them for something good. Don’t let this be a passing news headline for you.

Activism should be present in every aspect of your life. Please do not allow yourself to fall into the acceptance of the bigotry of others and their casual racism or allow yourself to excuse those around you who are racist or speak with prejudice. These little moments that make us uncomfortable to stand for what we believe in, which SHOULD BE social justice, can mean the world to others. Something that seems small in your eyes is not small to someone who lives it.

Educate others! Keep an open and accepting train of thought when speaking to those who are affected by this tragedy and the many before it and understand that this is an issue. Racism exists. This is not the time to be in a debate about the importance of the lives around you because black lives do matter and are important and should be treasured and grieved when lost and especially when lost this horrifically. This death has deservedly sparked sadness and anger because we SHOULD BE SADDENED AND ANGERED BY BRUTALITY! Please feel compelled to speak up against things that harm those around you.

My heart hurts for George Floyd. If your heart is hurting too, let’s channel that. If you are white, please think of the horror of the reality of black individuals and just how unsafe, powerless, and outraged they must feel, and use your privilege to educate others, to spark discussions, to try and get people on the same page of this is just not okay! This isn’t okay! We cannot accept this!

But it keeps happening.

There are so many names to remember. Among those are Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and an echoing cry of, “I can’t breathe,” from George Floyd AND Eric Garner.

We are facing the reality that history just keeps repeating itself. This isn’t the time to turn our heads. This isn’t the time to argue the importance of it. This isn’t about us! This is about the black lives being destroyed around us.

Let’s do the best that we can to stand for justice. Let’s use the resources available to us to stand up to brutality, advocate for change, and support the victim’s grieving family.

“CONTACT MINNEAPOLIS REPRESENTATIVES

Contact Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to demand justice. You can also call his office at 612-673-2100.

Demand County Attorney Mike Freeman charge the officers with murder by calling him at 612-348-5550.”

“DONATE

Philonise Floyd, has started a GoFundMe to assist his family in their time of grief and need.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/georgefloyd

The Minnesota Freedom Fund, a grassroots organization currently working with the National Lawyers Guild and the Legal Rights Center, will use donations to bail out arrested protestors and to supply those on the field.

https://minnesotafreedomfund.org/donate

Reclaim the Block, a grassroots organization based in Minneapolis, will use funds to address community needs.

https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2

Black Visions Collective, which is based in Minnesota, focuses its work on transformative justice in the state.

https://secure.everyaction.com/4omQDAR0oUiUagTu0EG-Ig2

North Star Health Collective is a group of street medics, radical health organizers, and community health trainers based in Minneapolis and St. Paul, and will use funds for gear and medical supplies on the field.

https://www.northstarhealthcollective.org/donate

Organizers in Louisville, Kentucky–the city that Breonna Taylor lived in–have created a community bail fund for protestors.

https://actionnetwork.org/fundraising/louisville-community-bail-fund/“