Peaceful Protests — Blog

For the past few days, Baton Rouge has been heavy. The tension in this city is smothering just like the humidity that fills the air. The roads look empty, the sky is not as bright as it usually is, certain people are more friendlier and accommodating than they have ever been, others are tired. I am one of the tired ones. After the tragic event in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, another one occurred in Minnesota on Wednesday. I could not believe my ears when I woke up that morning and turned on the radio. "Another black man wrongfully killed by the police? This can't be life!" Then the disastrous event in Dallas struck. It all felt like a dream - a bad one.

For the rest of the week, I had this unbearable weight on my shoulders. I called my mother to explain my rage, fear, and hurt. She reminded me to do what I had to do, be careful, then "cast my cares." I then called my friend and explained to him how I wanted to make a big difference in the world, and that I would start with myself that day and work my way up to my people. He simply explained to me (of course by using a fashion analogy because he is so considerate of my comprehending abilities - bless him) that I'm just one stitch in a shirt. I cannot hold the whole shirt together by myself. It takes my stitch and all of the other stitches to hold the shirt together. He then told me to be the best stitch while understanding that it will take all of the other stitches to make the shirt be whole....not just my stitch. I went to sleep on his and my mother's words and woke up Saturday, July 9, 2016, feeling energize and full of purpose. For on that day I was going to be an awesome stitch and do a tremendous job in holding my part of the shirt together. Then after I had done everything I could, I would cast my cares to God. So I got up, did some work, and headed out to do some fashion shooting and ended up protesting with my people ( I originally intended on protesting Sunday only; however, the energy was so strong in Baton Rouge that I couldn't help but jump in the mix Saturday).

Me, my friend Georgette, and hundreds of other determined African Americans took to the streets of Baton Rouge to voice all of our emotions regarding our lack of support and justice from the government. We marched from Baton Rouge City Hall to the Louisiana State Capitol chanting and holding our fist high. See the photo below that was captured by the Advocate - a local newspaper in Baton Rouge, LA. After that picture, see the protest captured through my camera lens.

Photo by Brianna Paciorka - Baton Rouge Advocate - www.theadvocate.com - Baton Rouge Protest for Alton Sterling

I am so proud of my people and this city I reside in. We came together and expressed our feelings in the most peaceful way. It was powerful to say the least. I hope and pray that we continue to come together in all aspects. We are more forceful as a group than we are as individuals. Let's all do our part as stitches to hold the shirt together.

Peace and Blessings

- Samjah Iman X (lol)