In case you missed it, it’s been a busy week. All across the city, nation, and globe people are organizing, marching, and protesting in defense of Black lives. Personally, I’ve been so impressed by the amount of people who continue to show up to the protests and gatherings day after day. But the reality is, while protesting is ‘trendy’ right now, this is long-term work. It will not be trendy forever. This is a marathon not a sprint and, as any runner knows, you need to have *a lot* of determination to push yourself all the way through a marathon.
“But Amelia,” you say, “I have that determination! I’m ready for the marathon!”
Okay, great! Can you articulate what fuels that determination? Because it has to be more than liking to go out and chant behind some organizers. It has to be more than just reposting some stuff on your Facebook or Instagram story. Because without a firm understanding of what exactly lights the fire within you to keep fighting, that fire is gonna die out, and we can’t have that. We need you to keep showing up and being loud.
There is so much more to this movement than just the chants of a few protest organizers. Listen to them, participate with them, always have their backs, but make sure you aren’t relying on them to light your fire. We may get tired, but we cannot stop. History has shown that the vast majority of the people coming to these protests right now *will* get tired and stop; that’s when it’s even more important to know and be committed to your “why.” Why are you passionate about these issues? Why do you come out to protests, or donate, or sign petitions, or repost? What are the concrete changes you want to see?
So, by all means, keep protesting and signing and donating and educating yourself and others. We need your support! But, before you come out to your next protest, have a conversation with yourself and answer this question: what is your “why”? Hold that in your heart as we march forward. Let’s go.
—Amelia Kemp