Trayvon Martin. Stephon Clark. Amadou Diallo. Tamir Rice. Sean Bell. Botham Jean. Renisha Mcbride. Philando Castile. Aiyana Jones. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. Nina Pop. Tony McDade. Breona Taylor.
#saytheirnames
I could keep going, but the list would not end and that is what scares me. These lives have been lost as a result of state-sanctioned violence on black bodies. This is what structural racism looks like.
Structural racism is a barrier to health and wellness. The outcome of your health and wellness is based on biopsychosocial determinants. Having power, privilege, and the resources to access them can improve health and wellness. Oppression can worsen people’s health— especially if they are black. If we do not address the social issues that threaten public health, then we cannot improve people’s well-being. In order to thrive as humans, we need to have an environment that supports the health and wellbeing of all people. We do not currently have this in the USA #thisisamerica
If you think I’m “just a fitness page”, you’re wrong.
I’m here to help humans get strong, from the inside-out. If environmental factors are preventing me from doing this, then it is imperative that I speak out about it and do the work to change the issue. This IS my lane. I am a human. I grieve. I’m upset. Frustrated. Hurt. Tired. Scared. Worried. These are just some of the feelings that I’ve experienced these past few days. As a Black woman, it is incredibly painful and exhausting to see white supremacy and state-sanctioned violence against Black bodies over and over again. Black lives have been and are in danger in our society. Black. Lives. Matter.
What’s infuriating to me is the silence that follows, especially from influencers with large followings that profit off of Black culture and Blackness. Recognize your privilege and use your power to better our world. The thing about silence is that it speaks volumes. Silence reinforces racism. Read that again.
I will not be silent. And I ask that you do the same. You have a voice, please use it.
Resources for learning, donating, and action steps ⬇️
Take a stand for change— for justice, for the right to live without being murdered by the police. Enough with the performative activism!— you can do much more than posting a hashtag or reposting an infographic.
✨Get out there and vote. Your vote is your voice. Use it.
✨Educate yourself on these issues. A few places to start are:
✨Donate to
Don’t stop there. Keep learning. Keep growing. Keep working to undo structural racism. We didn’t get here overnight. It’s not going to happen overnight.
This is not an exhaustive list. This is a start. Do your own research. But most importantly, do the work. Use your voice. Take action. Do not be silent.
More resources to start educating yourself: @laylafsaad @ibramxk @ogurchukwuu @decolonizingtherapy
A luta continua, mas a vitória é certa
The fight continues, but the win is certain.
Want to know how I am making my part? Read more about The Movement.
