I write this piece with an extremely heavy heart, saddened by recent events. Its safe to say that 2020 has been an extraordinarily difficult year for many around the world and only continues to worsen.
Tensions between Police forces and people of colour around the world have been present for quite some time but after recent events, including the killing of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in America amongst many other black men and woman around the world, tensions are at an all time high.
It has become so bad that if you are black and stopped by police it's almost a 50/50 chance if you will make it home safe or not... or at least that how it feels.
Rightly or wrongly this has led to many feeling like that are left with no other choice but to take action.
As if 400 years of slavery and segregation wasn't enough, there have been countless acts of hate crime towards black people... from Emmett Till to Stephen Lawrence, Anthony Walker to Eric Garner and so many more. With that being said, its no surprise that these recent events have proven to be the inevitable 'Straw that has broken the camel's back'.
Protests have started, not just in America but all around the world, some of which my family and I have had the privilege of taking part in.
These are meant to be peaceful events, protesting against the mistreatment of blacks and people of colour by members of society and the police force that seems to go all too commonly unnoticed and unpunished.
It is expected that there would be Police presence at these marches and protests but unfortunately due to the negative reaction of some officers and even some members of the public some of these protests have become violent and sparked riots which is not, I repeat, not the intended outcome of the protests.
It goes without saying, that tensions and emotions are running high at the moment and this sometimes comes to a head at protests.
Ultimately all we want as black people and people of colour is to be seen, heard, respected and treated fairly, because at the moment it seems like we are continually being mistreated, disrespected, judged and even killed due to the colour of our skin and the inaccurate stereotypes that come with it.
Below is not a picture of random black faces but a picture of black people killed in a questionable way by the authorities and other individuals, this a picture of children losing parents, parents losing children, families losing loved ones and so on.
One of the wonderful things I have noticed during these marches and protests are the amount of non-black people that have come out to show thier support.
This is an amazing thing to see as sometimes it can feel like we are fighting a lost cause, one that only seems to be supported by those directly affected.
I know this is a difficult subject for alot of people to discuss, especially non-blacks but now is not the time to be silently non-racist but to be actively anti-racist... SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION!
If protesting isnt your thing, you can share pictures and links on your social media platforms of ways to fight racism or donate to black charities etc but at the very least you can show your support by checking on the well being of your black friend, relative or colleague... it would mean alot to them.
Let them know you can see what's going on and that you don't support it (assuming you don't of course).
Its no different to giving condolences to someone when a friend or family member passes away... we as the black race are mourning the loss of black lives at the hands of those who simply don't care.
It's hard enough always feeling like the odd one out, walking into a room where you are potentially one of only a few black people, having a culture that is not understood by many around you etc.
The time has come to make sure racism dies with this generation, for the sake of the next one.
We are asking for your help...
The Black Lives Matter movement has been around since July 2013 but has never been needed more than it is right now...
This is NOT a movement for blacks... this is a movement for ANYONE who cares about social injustices and the mistreatment of people.
We are not trying to start a race war, we are trying to end one.
Don't let the media and narrow minded or ignorant people cause you to believe otherwise.
I have mainly used my Blog for Hip-Hop related publishes but it would completely deny the real essence and spirit that birthed Hip-hop to not address the current situations.
Some have said not to mix music and politics but Hip-hop has always been politically charged with artists like Ice Cube, NWA, Public Enemy, Paris, KRS One, Arrested Development, Queen Latifah, Ice-T and 2Pac being amongst some of the early rappers to address these issues.
Many recent artists, including rappers like Kendrick Lamar, Killer Mike, Akala and Talib Kweli are all fighting to provide awareness through their music for the need of equality, unity and peace.
There are many albums you can listen to, to gain an understanding of the intensity of the current climate that has been around for many years.
There are a huge amount of albums and artists you can explore but below are 8 relevent albums that I have pictured for you to listen to if you have not already.
Hopefully, in the light of current events, we can be the generation that accomplishes what inspirational people like Malcom X, Martin Luther King JR, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks spent their lives fighting for and dreaming about... A world where racism doesn't exist but love, unity and equality reigns.
Just typing that last sentance can seem so far fetched but if we all play our part and learn to love unconditionally, I honestly believe we can make a difference.... but we must remember that SILENCE IS NOT AN OPTION!
Thank you for reading.
POLITICAL RAP... In The Spotlight.
By Easton Wilson
