Your Activism Doesn't Have to Look Like Mine - 10 WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE

We are pissed off regarding the state of America, and rightfully so. Unfortunately this emotion is not a new one. It’s a very familiar feeling that the black community can’t seem to shake. It may lie dormant for a while, but sooner or later it’s agitated by some racist cop, bigoted politician, or economic/health disparity. But hey….I’m not here to preach, nor am I here to give you my views on the recent tragedies. Y’all already know where I stand when it comes to my community. The purpose of this blog post is not to reiterate the issues this country has. Its purpose is to remind and inform my readers that when it comes to this activism thing, there’s more than one way to skin a cat….and your way doesn’t have to look like everyone else’s.

Do not feel discouraged if you aren’t out there in the thick of things marching on the front lines with the rest of the world. Yes those rallies are critical, exhilarating, and prideful - and I ABSOLUTELY WANT THEM TO CONTINUE; however, there are more ways you can contribute to the cause if publicly protesting is not your thing….and it’s okay if it’s not your thing because activism is personal. It’s about doing what’s in your spirit, and not everyone has to do the exact same thing to support any movement. So if you’re wondering what you could do, aside from publicly protesting, to play your part in evoking change, check out my suggestions below.

10 WAYS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE CAUSE

1. Support a black-owned business.

2. Have those tough conversations with your white friends, colleagues, or co-workers about the issues our community faces and what they can do to help. Ask them to use their privilege to advocate for change on our behalf.

3. VOTE. Register to Vote. Tell your people to Vote. Spread the word about Voting.

4. Attend community meetings, call, or email your local politicians and voice your concerns.

5. Post important and positive information regarding the black community on your social media pages.

6. Read! Educate yourself then spread the knowledge.

7. Hire qualified, black people if you own a business.

8. Donate to a black organization that uses their resources to fight systemic racism. (I just went to this link and donated a few dollars that will go towards getting protestors out of jail. It was quick and easy, and I didn’t have to leave my couch to do it.)

9. Go harder when it comes to your dreams.

10. Sign Petitions.

As my mother says, “just like there’s more than one way to get to New York, there’s more than one way to get to change.” We need all hands on deck, my people.

What’s your mode of transportation?

“If you can’t fly, then run.
If you can’t run, then walk.
If you can’t walk, then crawl.
by all means, keep moving.”

— Martin Luther King, Jr.

Doing My Part,

- Samjah Iman

Makes Me Want to HOLLER!

To protect and serve huh?  Don’t they mean to only protect and serve one kind?  This is disgusting and unacceptable!  Something has to be done about these trigger-happy policeman and their warped mentalities!  This incident should be our breaking point; as a matter of fact, the first incident like this should have been our breaking point.  We have to do something about it now!  Alton Sterling of Baton Rouge could have easily been someone I knew or worse – someone related to me.  I pray so hard for my brother’s, cousins', nephews’, god-son's, and male friends’ lives, but today I feel like my prayers are not enough.  Work has to be done in addition to prayer.

Creating t-shirts adorned with police brutality victims’ names on them or posting motivational sayings and hash tags on social media shouldn’t be the only things we do to show our sentiments this time.  We should take it back to the days where we walked for hours or did whatever necessary to demand justice.  We should make some noise in our communities continuously so that our voices are eventually heard.  We should come together as a culture and show just how strong we are collectively, and that enough is enough.  I’m ready for a change, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that all black men can live in a society where they are not feared by police but protected by them – just like their Caucasian counterparts.  I will be participating in the protest here in Baton Rouge on Sunday, and I hope my blog readers who are located in Baton Rouge will do the same.

A note from the desk of Dr. Saulsberry –

It’s happened again, and it’s coming again! What you ask? Another “questionable police shooting of a black young man and those critics who will inevitably turn the incident/conversation to “black on black crime.”  The only commonalities between black on black crime and police brutality are: guns, a quick temper, questionable judgement, and an action resulting in a young black man being dead. The major difference is that the police officer is “supposed to be a trained professional with the skills to determine and take actions that will de-escalate a situation resulting in positive results for all involved.  They are not supposed to be a professional acting out of anger, feelings of disrespect, or fearing for one’s life (the classic excuse).  The “street thug” acts out of anger because they feel disrespected or fear for their life as well.  They, however, have no de-escalation skills or training to turn a hostile situation around.  Both reactions end in the death of a young black man.  Again, the major difference is that the police officer is supposed to be a mature and skilled professional sworn to uphold the law (not to be the judge, jury, and executioner) and to DE-ESCALATE a situation. They obviously have the skills to do so, because as Jesse Williams stated in his BET Awards Speech, “Police somehow manage to de-escalate, disarm and not kill white people every day.” …

Why is it that they can see the humanity in others but not in us?

The difference apparently is as stated in the Cameo song Skin I’m In (written by Larry Blackmon).  “I’m so frustrated and flustered.  At what has been riddance to justice?  Is it immoral or a sin?  If it is, according to the skin you’re in….skin you’re in”

I’m sick and tired of just being sick and tired! I need to do something else, and I am. What about you?

- Dr. Saulsberry

Now back to our regularly scheduled, good-vibes program.....venting has subsided. 

Peace and Blessings

                                                                                                                                                             - Samjah Iman