(1/7) think for a long time, I was always unsure of what to say or do in the face of violent, brutal racism against black lives. I felt like I wasn’t in a position to speak out or speak up for a community that I don’t necessarily belong to. It made me uncomfortable.

(2/7) For HUNDREDS of years, black people have been disenfranchised, discriminated against, racially profiled, beaten down, falsely accused, MURDERED by the force that is supposedly sworn to protect, and unfortunately, so much more.

(3/7) I recognize now that my discomfort in speaking out about a system that is FAILING an ENTIRE community of people is MINUSCULE compared to the injustice that is faced by Black people on a DAILY BASIS.

(4/7) Every day that goes by, every breath that I take where I continue to dwell on my discomfort is a breath of privilege. By choosing to passively ignore injustice, I was accepting my position in a social hierarchy that allows me to feel (relatively) comfortable.

(5/7) I’m learning now that simply stating that Black Lives Matter is not enough to truly support and uplift black lives, in order to eradicate and rebuild a society where all lives truly matter. So what am I choosing to do?

(6/7) As James A. White Sr. said in his TED talk: “first, I’m choosing to [do the research and to] educate myself; second, to unveil racism; and third, to do everything in my power to help eradicate racism in my lifetime by any means necessary.”

(7/7) In order to speak out against these injustices, I have to elevate my knowledge and societal consciousness. And that starts with acknowledging my privilege; recognizing my discomfort and working through it in order to be a responsible ally and fight for the sake of humanity.