Aryssa Braxton

Seeing this BLM matter movement finally happen and come together has meant a lot to me, my peers, and my family. The issues that are coming to light are problems that we have been trying to educate people about and make America see for generations, and it feels like the world is finally not ignoring our voices and seeing the injustices that we have been trying to fight against for centuries. The movement is not simply about police brutality, but also working towards learning more about, and dismantling a system built off of racism and oppression that has permeated this country. This has been allowed to occur because America has failed to look at its history and stop to think about how it has affected people, especially in the black community. As a country and a society, it takes us looking at ourselves and asking why we have these prejudices against each other and where these ideals and systems of oppression have come from, and it takes holding ourselves and each other accountable. Through doing so, and taking the time to educate ourselves through talking to each other, going out of our way to read and watch documentaries about black stories and the side of American history that are not taught in schools, and listening to each other, we can make change together and create a better future where everyone is represented, everyone is heard, and everyone is finally treated equally. For too long black people and minorities in this country have felt unheard, unrepresented, and like our country simply did not care about our issues and the problems we face in America every day that stem from our racist history, but with this movement I feel that is finally starting to slowly change. The movement has given me so much hope and makes me excited for the future, and in the end I know it can create a ripple effect to fight for what is right for everyone throughout this country everyday, whenever we see injustice. In all, it will take everyone continuing to listen to understand each other, educating ourselves, and taking action in our communities and amongst our peers in order to continue this movement and fight for social equality, because it is not a trend. It is a movement for a serious fight for change and to create a truly better America and society overall.