The Precipice of a Movement, Hello 2015!

As I reflect on this year, I've realized it went by extremely fast! There were some amazing highs and utterly exhausting lows. Because 2013 was such a tough year for the black community with unbelievable headlines about heartbreaking events like Trayvon Martin’s killer being acquitted and the mysterious death of Kendrick Johnson, I dedicated 2014 to my community. 

Trayvon Martin

Kendrick Johnson

When it came to the greater community, 2014 was worse than 2013, however. My natural and Christian inclination to help my community brought many nights of pensive, anxious and somber feelings this year. In 2014, we saw the personification of the pain that Ferguson citizens and those that stand in solidarity with them, experience regularly.

I have refrained from discussing Ferguson or the Eric Garner verdict because I agree- burn it down, shut down Grand Central and the Westside Highway. My emotional, visceral response is one of anger and embarrassment. At 26, two degrees later, I understand what James Baldwin meant when he said, “to be a Negro in this country, and to be relatively conscious, is to be in a rage almost all the time." I have three nephews, a brother, and boyfriend at home that I could easily lose like the families of Michael Brown and Eric Garner lost their loved ones. To think, to even slightly imagine that I could lose them, and their killer walks, makes me sick.

In 2014, I spent a lot of time in prayer. I prayed for the families of victims of gun violence, especially the mothers that lost their children. The state of black women in America has been characterized by the stories of Janay Rice, #iamjada, Stephanie Moseley, and grieving mothers.

Janay Rice

#iamjada

There's so much to unpack with all these moments - spousal abuse, sexual assault, cyberbullying, suicide, etc. Each of these women experienced something terrible and had their stories broadcasted. These stories about black women are quite different than the stories about black men in the media this year. As a critical race scholar, I argue that one resounding theme of these 2014 headlines is #blacklivesmatter. Our voices, our lives, our bodies, our privacy – it all matters and should be respected at all times. I'm tired of the contention, apathy and ignorance towards that fact.

As I prepare to start 2015, it is hard to be optimistic. It’s hard to believe that real change involving community-police relations will happen when representatives from the NYPD blame the mayor and describe their relationship with the community as “in wartime.” It’s hard to believe that real change involving women and our bodies when Jada, after months of living through this horrific experience, still gets little support from her own community. It’s hard to be optimistic when media and society are constantly telling me that my life and community is not worth as much as others.

It’s hard to be optimistic, but it is easy to be motivated, passionate, angry, and most importantly, faithful. 2014 was a rough year, but we made it and gained wisdom and understanding. I’m going into 2015 with a new found awareness of what it is to be black in America and leveraging my power to help my community. 

The deaths and tragedies in the black community in 2014 started a dialogue that will facilitate change; and I want to be a visionary leading that charge. Thousands of people continue to congregate nationwide, in protest about police brutality. Thousands of people joined the #iamjada campaign via twitter and social media; and eventually the alleged perpetrators were apprehended. 

Millions March Los Angeles

Harvard Medical students "die-in"

We are at the precipice of the next great social movement, and now is the time to decide what your role will be in the movement. In 2014, I started my nonprofit to mitigate the cyclical social issues that millennial women of color endure. In 2015, I will continue to do great work with my organization. I will also make a conscious effort to use my organizational reach to spread love and positivity to our community.

What will you do in 2015 that will positively impact your community? Take a moment and fill in the blanks below, save it somewhere and make the conscious commitment to do it.

“In 2015, I will________________________________ to help the _____________ community.”

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xoxo,

Courtney

Founder/CEO 

@TheColorMeB