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People ask me all the time why I am vehemently supportive of these protestors. It took me until my early 20s to learn about the privilege of my gender and race - that j had absolutely zero control over. Buckle up. It's time for a thread.
In my late teens early 20s I got into the wrong crowd. I was a skate punk (oddly enough like the protestors in SLC yesterday) a skinny ass white kid, who had everything a kid could want.
I like to joke about my time in Provo and my first attempt at college - but I was seriously in a bad place. A alcoholic and a drug addict who got hooked on the wrong stuff in the wrong crowd. And it led to me dropping out of college when I landed a dream job
That behavior and privilege led me to driving drunk - and getting pulled over. I was arrested.
no guns
no abuse
even when I lipped off to the arresting officer. He even called my parents to have them come get my car.
then 3 months later I got arrested again.
no guns
no abuse
even when I lipped off to the arresting officer. He even called my parents to have them come get my car.
then 3 months later I got arrested again.
This time I had drugs in my car -
Personal use amounts but good still weren't fans of cannabis, and even less so of opiates.
again I was arrested. No battery no violence just stuffed into a squad car and taken to jail.
Personal use amounts but good still weren't fans of cannabis, and even less so of opiates.
again I was arrested. No battery no violence just stuffed into a squad car and taken to jail.
They made sure I had water and could breathe, by rolling down the windows. During interrogation they let me smoke and made sure I was relaxed.
I had a good attorney who was able strike a plea bargain.
I had a good attorney who was able strike a plea bargain.
I have never been able to forget the words my sentencing judge said to me in January 2003 as I was looking at possibly being locked up for 5-10 years.
”you exude potential, and I am not going to lock you up, you have skills and abilities...”
”you exude potential, and I am not going to lock you up, you have skills and abilities...”
”... That could be put to better use outside this court and I implore you to do so, because if I ever see you in front of me, I will execute this sentence”
Since that day I have realized the luck and privilege I have. Because there are those out there that have the same and even better skills than I do. Who are passed over, looked down upon and ignored.
So I have always tried to listen and amplify - even if I am not perfect at it, and learn from these experiences, and the people around me. When they protest I protest in solidarity. When they speak and aren't heard I speak with them, hoping my voice can help.
Even today, I can see how I have privilege, cops don't look at me with suspicion even with my tattoos like they do a black man. I don't get followed around stores as I shop. I don't get pulled over for driving aimlessly on a summer night, or occosted whilst taking a stroll.
So it's on me.
It’s on me to learn from those in my community
It’s on me to amplify and support - but not take over
It’s on me to support those who feel powerless and lift them up.
It’s on me to say “Black Lives Matter” with conviction
It’s on me to learn from those in my community
It’s on me to amplify and support - but not take over
It’s on me to support those who feel powerless and lift them up.
It’s on me to say “Black Lives Matter” with conviction
I may not voice this correctly sometimes especially when constrained by characters like twitter has.
But I do it the best way I know how.
To my LGTBQIA friends
To my friends who are POC
To my women friends
I stand with you and support you.
But I do it the best way I know how.
To my LGTBQIA friends
To my friends who are POC
To my women friends
I stand with you and support you.
The end.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled snark.
We now return you to your regularly scheduled snark.
