BY: KRIS ANDERSON
PHOTOGRAPHY BY: NIGIL CRAWFORD
Today I feel lost as A Black Man
I couldn't find your hand, Lord.
I feel so alone, I just don't understand.
Today I am afraid to walk out of my home as a Black Man for tomorrow's troubles may bring more pain than today. While today might just be my last day.
It frightens me to know I may not last, but I'll continue to pray because that's the only way I can see another day. Why do I worry about tomorrow you may ask? Maybe because today brings enough fear; the fear of getting shot for selling CDs or maybe just walking home from the corner store with a pack of Skittles and an Arizona.
Maybe it's getting choked to death for something I didn't do, but then again you wouldn't know my fear, because you're to blind to see the truth. But who knows for today was the tomorrow, that seemed all too near. I'm a Black Man that stands so PROUDLY for the color of my skin. But truth be told I'm the man they never want to see win.
Why do you hate me so much? Is it because I the Black Man have built everything you touch? Is it because Black Women are the true Queens of everything you claim to be? Or is it because without me everything you have and hold dear would never be able to last without me?
What is it about my skin? Why do some people want to hate me; And not know the person within? I'll never forget about the Past, My Pain will never let me. Tomorrow is how long it will last. By then I may be Free. I'm a strong Black Man standing here telling you that no matter what, I'm all the colors of the Heavenly Rainbow which can be found throughout every nation;
And when all those colors were blended well,
I BECAME GOD’S GREATEST CREATION
By: Kristopher Johnson-Anderson
Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay woke, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change. To all my Black Kings & Queens that are reading this, continue to be the love and the light to all you touch. The world won’t always see our beauty. Although these times are traumatizing and filled with darkness just remember that we are conquerors. We’re God’s greatest creation! OUR BLACK LIVES MATTER! We decided to interview a diverse group of young black men and women about what Black Lives Matter means to them. I present to you "Being Black In America".
The UpNext: What does Black Lives Matter mean to you?
Madisen: “Black lives matter” addresses the fact that many people in our society, don’t care whether we die although this country was built on the backs of our ancestors. Black individuals have been facing discrimination from the beginning time which is deeply rooted in every institution of society. The movement advocates and empowers our community against systemic racism and violence like police brutality. For me, this movement is a form of expressing our life value. When I say “Black Lives Matter.” I am asserting the importance black lives hold in a world that appears to disregard them."
Jonathan: "Black Lives Matter means to me that WE DO EXISIT. WE DO HAVE RIGHTS & WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED EQUALLY IN ALL FACETS OF LIFE. We should not be judged by our skin color or ethnicity."
Jade: "BLM means as a community we are worth it, we are valuable, we are amazing, we can do incredible things, we are CREDIBLE; we COUNT. We deserve more respect and appreciation than we get. We literally built America and that defiantly stands for something."
Delaria: "BLM to me means that black people deserve the same equalities that are afforded to others. Black lives deserves to be treat as human and not like animals being hunted down in the street. Black lives matter is simple to me - give us the basic human rights and privileges we deserve."
Aleah: "Exactly what it says. Our lives matter. We don’t deserve death, being treated wrongly because of our skin color. We were made in the image of God just like every other human being and that alone is our right like every other race & ethnicity has in this world."
Drea: "Black Lives Matter means that the people who built this country for free against their will deserve to have the same rights and privileges as any other race in this country."
Telisha: "Black lives matter means that I am able to freely walk down the road or drive down the road just like anybody else of the opposite skin color of mine without being harassed for something unjustifiable. If you gonna stop me for a traffic ticket then stop me for traffic ticket but shouldn’t require for me to lose my life over something so simple that’s your white counterparts do on a normal. I want people to stop having the mindset that the color of one’s skin can have the power over another‘s. When I grow up and get married I’ve always wanted to have a son, but now it’s like why would I want to bring another black man into this and to have that worry of not knowing if he will come back home one day after a night out with his friends or simply just making an errand for one of his parents. The law enforcement and these government officials have policies in place to make us feel safe, but why don’t I feel safe in the country that I’m a citizen in."
The UpNext: Do you believe in violence as a method of protest?
Jade: "No I don’t; I personally don’t like to do things from a place of rage or anger because it comes with a price."
Delaria: "I think about this constantly. No huge change has come in this country without violence and there are at least 5 federal holidays that acknowledge that. That’s just the facts. When white people promote violence for change, it’s patriotic. When we demand Change in that same fashion, it’s categorize as something else."
Aleah: "As a Christian, no. But I totally understand why others do, especially when we’ve tired all ways to protest and still get treated terribly and are still harmed and not listened too. I do not condemn rioters & looters, I myself just wont use that as my form of protest."
Drea: "I don’t support violence, but I do believe that you reap what you sew, and that is what we are experiencing right now in this country. My people were ripped from their country, culture, heritage, and families centuries ago by violence and I don’t think ANYONE should be surprised by the images we are seeing. We are tired. There is only so much “laying down” a group can take before an uprising, as we have seen in many other countries. 2020 just happened to be our turn."
Jonathan: "Yes, I do believe violence is a method of protest because it is the only way to get America’s attention about how African Americans feel and the pain that we suffer. Once we have Americas attention it's up to them to give us the respect and reparations needed."
Megan: "I do not believe in violence as a method of protest! I do understand why people are being violent though. I get that many are tired and angry just as I am but I believe violence begets violence. Instead we need to come together as a people and come up with solutions & strategies to destroy American capitalism without anymore bloodshed."
The UpNext: "What are your goals and expectations for “Black Lives Matter” in the near future?
Jonathan: "To continue to be a voice of change and steadfastness. As well as expand throughout the globe as it is doing as we speak, so we can continue to have a tremendous amount of support."
Madisen: "The goal of BLM in simple terms is to make the world a better place for African Americans and to be treated as an equal. My goal is to hit our oppressors where it hurts and get justice for the countless injustices. The rate of police brutality needs to decrease immensely and police officers and citizens need to be held accountable for their wrongful actions. The officers at fault also need to be indicted. Also, our money needs to be put into the black-owned businesses. The ultimate goal is that we are provided the same tools and resources as caucasians like healthcare as well as the same job opportunities."
Jade: "Black Commerce; investing and putting our dollars in our market; shift from relying on white luxury as our standard and make black luxury the standard."
Kristian: "For more people to be educated on racism in America. For people to stop assuming that every black face is a threat or has ill intent, especially black men."
Aleah: "We need organization. We need national organization and state/local organization so that we are all on the same page. For example the “black out Tuesday” thing was a mess because their was instructions coming from everywhere. One thing we can learn from the civil rights movement is that they had organization and leadership. Also we need more of our black sisters to speak up right now specifically for Breonna Taylor."
Drea: "I pray that after the protest are done and everyone goes home we don’t go on as we were before. I would like to see our elected officials take initiative and implement laws and policies that provide Black people with equality, equity, and justice so that we don’t have to repeat the same conversations again."
The UpNext: Have you or are you planning to participate in any peaceful protest? If so explain your experience or expectations.
Megan: "I was planning on participating in a peaceful protest but since I got my wisdom teeth removed I sadly wasn’t able to go. What I am doing instead though is educating myself while I’m at home, donating, signing petitions, and lastly trying to make sure this moment doesn’t stay a moment but becomes a movement! What I noticed is that some people are only partaking in these protest because its what’s trending but being black isn’t a trend."
Jonathan: "Yes I have participated in peaceful protest, not only to be apart of the voice, but to interact with my brothers and sisters in this trying time. Being able to have dialogue with the people and the police created a better understanding for both sides of the table."
Jade: "Yes. Someone who works for two government organizations at times I have to be impartial however I still have the right to feel how I feel and I feel we can’t be complacent we’re finally making some real noise and coming together with other communities."
Delaria: "I have in the past. It’s so sad to even think about that the lives of black women and men are taken from us at the hand of police often. This isn’t a fight we haven’t fought before. This isn’t the first time our local streets have been flooded with protestors demanding change. We’re tired. Whatever I can do to help with the cause - I will do."
Aleah: "I would really like too, I would like to be apart of medic help. But as of right now, while we are in the middle of a pandemic still, I am my nana lead care taker and I can not put her life at risk. So for now I donate and sign all the petitions I can."
The UpNext: How are black women and men affected by police brutality? And how are they shaping the concerns, strategies, and future of Black Lives Matter?
Drea: "We are constantly racially profiled simply off the color of our skin and are forced to teach our younger generations how to respond during encounters with law enforcement when an officer is more likely to take our life than to protect us. It sickens me that something like “Qualified Immunity” for law enforcement even exist. I hope that our countries leadership commits to have more conversations about how that law is more harmful than helpful."
Aleah: "We are the ones that face it the most. Children are without parents, and parents without their children due to police brutality. One of the many type of other things one can worry about that could take someone from this world, black people have to add this to that list to worry about. We are tired, but we are ready more than ever to bring about that change. May George Floyd Rest In Peace, his murder had brought about a change and if that change does not come we really won’t shut up about it."
Delaria: "It’s a battle of emotions (anger, sadness, etc.) you live in constant state of worrying because you don’t know whose next and for what senseless “reason” this time."
Jade: "They’re getting killed and families being ripped apart, and friends lost. Everyone is being affected in some way, even those who don’t because if instills fears in everyone in our community. They’re shaping people concerns through education first and foremost ( history, safety, and how to handle yourself when communicating with police). Also, by starting businesses targeting towards black people for black peoples."
Megan: "We are affected by police brutality mentally, physically, and emotionally. We now have a different outlook on the people that are supposed to “protect us.” Police brutality is something no one is ready for and no one should have to get ready for. Police brutality is shaping the concerns, strategies, and future of BLM by having us educate ourselves to educate others."
Madisen: "Yes. Currently, they are leading the protest and they have brought to the forefront the inequalities that are in the black communities. The reason these protests are happening is because the cops are not stopping the brutality. The movement affirms and brings awareness to the injustice that we face on a daily basis."
The UpNext: Have you ever experienced any form of racism?
Jade: "I’ve experience white ignorance more than anything ( racial jokes, slurs, comments). Racism is defined as discriminating someone in the belief that their race is superior. I’ve never felt personally attacked for being black (Unless I’ve blocked it out of memory (which could have happened). Now, in the military I’ve experienced discrimination for being a woman more than anything."
Jonathan: "I have been racially profiled by police officers in traffic stops numerous times."
Delaria: "Racism is rapid. It’s everywhere. I’ve experienced in while shopping, while competing, it’s literally everywhere."
Drea: "Ever since I began my career following undergrad, I have been the only person of color on my teams. I have experienced being spoken to with the assumption that I was less educated than the person that was hired to perform the very same jobs I have. According to statistics, I am less likely to get positions or promotions due to the color of my skin. I have to watch the way I speak in emails and meetings to avoid sounding “aggressive”. The list goes on. However, I make It my duty to bring my authentic Self to work each and everyday and that allows me to sleep much better at night."
Megan: "Growing up going to school with predominantly white people of course I’ve experienced racism. I’ve been blatantly called the N word straight to my face and when I stood up for myself I was called “ghetto, loud, ratchet, and sassy.” that’s why I get so upset when people say “your not black because you sound white.” I also get upset when my own kind agrees and doesn’t speak up for our black women. What I have learned is that racism is taught and everyone isn’t racist."
Madisen: "Yes I have experienced a great deal of racism. I have not only experienced racism at the predominantly white schools I have attended but also in my neighborhood. At the Academy of the Holy Angels, my black friends and I were followed by administration through the hallways. It was our free period and we were hanging up signs about Black History month awareness. I remember there being one staff member at each end of the hallway clocking our movements. Feeling so uncomfortable, we ran into the bathroom that was in the middle of the hallway where we knew they would not be able to bother us. The administration that was following us ended up calling a female staff member to come and get us out of the bathroom. We were immediately told to go to the office. I remember sitting in the principal’s office asking her why were followed and watched on the cameras? She could not give me a valid excuse other than “you and your friends looked suspicious.” She then proceeded to tell me that we could not hang “Black Lives Matter” posters in the hallways and bathrooms because all lives matter. I was told the other students would be offended and displeased with that statement. Walking out of the office, I felt disgusted knowing that if not for the color of my skin, none of that would have happened."
Telisha: "Have I experienced racism? Of course I have! I feel like everybody has. It’s just as simple as being followed around in the 7-Eleven with your friends because they think you’re going to steal something. Or even sitting on public transportation and the person next to you gets up because they don’t want to sit next to you. At Hampton University I majored in Computer Information Systems. Being a double minority in the technology field it was given. While I was still pursuing my undergraduate degree I was told “Indirectly” that I was inadequate. I had a black man tell me to my face that I had to be the top of my class in order to succeed in this field because as an African-American women I won’t make it. Now I make more money than that man like Beyoncé say always stay gracious best revenge is your paper. In that scenario why aren’t black people rooting for black people."
"A generation lost, is equivalent to a past without a present. It is our decree to awaken the future with a clear vision of tomorrow” - Kris Anderson.
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