6 years ago
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Posted On: May 29th 2020, 07:23 pm
“If we do not take ourselves seriously, if we do not take our movement seriously, then we will have to hang our heads in front of our ancestors.” - Assata Shakur
—
On Monday, before I learned of #GeorgeFloyd’s death my grandmother told me the story of my great grandfather. My great-grandfather was kidnapped by a white family at age 7 and taken to live with them and care for their children. His parents were sharecroppers. His grandparents were slaves. He was not reconnected with his family until nearly 50 years later.
I come from a lineage of Black folks who built the tables from which they were excluded and have long had to fight to create a table of their own at which they could sit. The fight is far from over.
Your lineage might be like mine and share this devastating 400+ year history. Or maybe your lineage is more in line with the white family who kidnapped my great-grandfather. These lineages are not to be feared but to be used as fuel as we all take up arms against systemic racism.
To the non-black folks who follow me: This is your fight too. In fact, this is more your fight than mine. And know that you are heard whether you speak or remain silent.
To the Black folks who follow me. I know this hurts. I know you may feel stifled, hopeless, empty, numb, angry— know that your feelings are all justified. And that you’re not alone. And we gon get through this, by any means necessary.
Rest in power to #GeorgeFloyd #breonnataylor #ahmaudarbery #tonymcdade #sandrabland #walterscott #ericgarner #atatianajefferson #tamirrice #philandocastile #korryngaines #aiyanajones #alejandrovargasjr #pamelaturner #tanishaanderson #yvettesmith #miriamcarey and the thousands of other souls brutalized by racism.
—
On Monday, before I learned of #GeorgeFloyd’s death my grandmother told me the story of my great grandfather. My great-grandfather was kidnapped by a white family at age 7 and taken to live with them and care for their children. His parents were sharecroppers. His grandparents were slaves. He was not reconnected with his family until nearly 50 years later.
I come from a lineage of Black folks who built the tables from which they were excluded and have long had to fight to create a table of their own at which they could sit. The fight is far from over.
Your lineage might be like mine and share this devastating 400+ year history. Or maybe your lineage is more in line with the white family who kidnapped my great-grandfather. These lineages are not to be feared but to be used as fuel as we all take up arms against systemic racism.
To the non-black folks who follow me: This is your fight too. In fact, this is more your fight than mine. And know that you are heard whether you speak or remain silent.
To the Black folks who follow me. I know this hurts. I know you may feel stifled, hopeless, empty, numb, angry— know that your feelings are all justified. And that you’re not alone. And we gon get through this, by any means necessary.
Rest in power to #GeorgeFloyd #breonnataylor #ahmaudarbery #tonymcdade #sandrabland #walterscott #ericgarner #atatianajefferson #tamirrice #philandocastile #korryngaines #aiyanajones #alejandrovargasjr #pamelaturner #tanishaanderson #yvettesmith #miriamcarey and the thousands of other souls brutalized by racism.
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