I am here to share that I fully stand with the Black Lives Matter movement! I am not afraid to lose business for people who disagree with me, I am afraid to lose business because people don’t think I support them. If you are one of the people who think all lives matter, please check your privilege. We all understand that your life matters as well, we are just saying that right now and for a long time now that black lives aren’t mattering and that needs to change! It all starts with the small racist comments that people make. It may seem small and insignificant but it’s not. It’s the seed that starts the thoughts in other peoples heads that all black people are bad. When the police show on the scene and see that George Floyd is a black guy they already have it in their head that this is a bad man just because he is black and that’s because of all the seemingly small racist comments that they have heard. There is a lot with the justice system that needs to be changed and you may feel that there is nothing you can do about it. I feel that same way but educating yourself and voting is one huge way that can help. But also stopping those racist comments that you hear and shut them down is another big way to help if we stop using this langue we can stop having that unnecessary fear of black people. If you are someone who believes that everyone should be treated equally but don’t want to deal with it I encourage you to educate yourself. Once you start learning the truth about how we have gotten here you won’t be able to stay quiet anymore. A great place to start is to watch 13th on Netflix. It gives you a good outline of how unfair the justice system is. How easy it is for a black person to get into the system and how it’s nearly impossible for them to get out.
On June 7th, 2020, I attended my first protest. I’m usually not one to go to them out of fear of getting in trouble or hurt. But I now realize this is the fear black people live with every day. So I said enough is enough and I went. It was one of the best things I have ever done, to stand up for what is right felt amazing. But it also showed me that even here in Vermont where we pride ourselves on loving one another there is still hate. There were way too many people in cars driving by yelling and flipping us off. It showed me just how much work left that there is still to do. But I am so proud of the town I live in for all the support that showed up! These photos don't even show the true number of people there because there were many people coming and going but there was a full crowd all day!! I could also still hear them going from my apartment after I left. I am so glad I was able to go and support the cause and look forward to finding more ways to support!
Here are the images that I took while at the protest in Rutland, VT.
