Be A Part of the Movement, Don't Just Watch it

My friends and I woke up this morning to find out that we are on USA Today. It is pretty wild. We came up to Ferguson, MO to experience the movement first hand and be a part of it first hand, and we are. Being here has opened my eyes a lot and it has all been an adventure. We did not expect there to be another black teenager gunned down. We did not expect to be on USA today. We just want to be a part of the change and make a difference. Hopefully I can reach my friends and family so that you guys know that it is up to us to make the changes that we want to see. When I go out to these protests it is the same people, but the same people is not enough. I hear a lot of people talk about how all they see is protestors being violent. I will admit there is truth to that, however there is not a lot of violent protestors. Unfortunately, most people give the most attention to the violence. I think people have  to take into consideration the folks committing the crimes during peace protest. These people are affected the most and feel a need to react. We need more peaceful individuals because sound minds like yourselves are at home observing on the televison, computer, and phones. I understand all the different reasons not to protest. Before I came up here, I told folks that some people are not willing, and some people are not able. Luckily the group of classmates and I were willing and able. In the end, its all about Unity. If you believe there is something wrong with every thing that's going on, but you chose to go about your everyday life, then you are not for the cause. I took one of the best photos recently during a candle light vigil. It was a white person holding a sign saying "WHITE SILENCE EQUALS VIOLENCE." It's like the saying "if you aren't for us, then your against us." If your not aiding in the movement then your not helping it. When cops and protestors can stand together then things will change. Black silence is just as bad as white violence, if not worse. Kwame Toure said "If your people are oppressed and you are not making a contribution to end the suffering of your people, by your very act of inaction, you are against your people. There is no middle ground."

Since I have been here I know there are a lot of good cops that are not allowed to speak up. You can tell. They are good people but they are intimidated by the people. I also think there is a part of them that enjoys when things pop off...

With all that being said, I understand it takes time to for a person to decide to join a movement. People need to understand why they are joining a movement for themselves. I mean sometimes it does not happen at all. My mother said it usually a "Faithful Few." We all know the world is not perfect and it is going to take time to change it. It is going to take ALL of us to change it though. Not just one. It's going to take a big group of folks with a sound mind and not with violence.

If we could eliminate guns that would be perfect. When I go to these protest I think about how powerless we are. The cops have the guns. They have the bullet proof vest. They have batons. They Have shields. They have helmets. All the people have are their words. These young individuals that chose violence only have their hands and rocks. No gun. No bullet proof vest.

When I go to these protest it becomes reminicent some times. I think back to how my high school got closed. It was the people versus the board. A similar situitation happened here in St. Louis. I witnessed a city hall meeting about the closing of a homeless shelter. At the end of the meeting it  was shut down by the city. There were people fighting to keep the shelter open and when the decision was made it just seemed like it was the people versus the board again. When I go to these protest, it is like its the people versus the police (the board). It seems like people have no power in this government, yet this government is supposed to be for the people.

Originally this post was supposed to serve as an update for my Facebook page, but I think it turned into something more. The biggest message I hope anyone who reads this receives is that it is up to EVERYONE to make change, and that is including you. When you're ready, join the movement and make a difference.

The video below is an important message that I think everyone should hear.