I Stand With Justice

Right now, the world isn't what it once was. People are experiencing many conflicting emotions and it is because of those emotions that history is happening as we speak. My emotions, one of them being overwhelmed, have to do with the fact that there are a lot of societal issues happening at once and I feel guilty if I don't give my attention to all of them. I know that I can't change the world or change people's mind on my own, but I know I can speak up on what I am educated on and have personal experience with. What I have most experienced with and educated on is my own background. For days now, I have asked myself the same question, over and over again. The question is, as a Mexican, disabled, minority woman, how can I be of service to the current situation?

I recognize that I'm privilege in some ways that others are not; I have access to the internet, I have a college education, I don't live near the poverty line, I have access to healthcare, I have all the resources I need to live a decent life, etc,. but at the same time when I'm in a public place there's a lot of people watching my every move, I have to planned out every action I make in order to make myself a little bit more "normal", if I'm asked a question I need to remember to answer in short, quick, easy words that most people can understand me with, I need to check my surroundings twice as much as the average person and especially in the city. It is when I checked my privilege, I knew that I cannot be silent about the oppression, racial biases, societal differences, and police brutality. I will never understand how it is to be black, but I understand what it is to be different and even though I know that this is not the same issue it is more than enough to stand with #blacklivesmatter and every other movement facing social injustices. BUT that doesn't mean that if you cannot relate in any way, shape, or form that you can't stand with POC, you sure as hell can because standing with POC is the right thing to do. I completely agree that not ALL people are bad BUT due to current events it's clear that we are still not on the same page, if you still don't understand how it was unlawful, inhumane the way George Floyd or any other young black person was treated/murdered by police, than stop watching the news and go educate yourself and check your privilege.

With all of what's going on, I cannot not acknowledge the disabled community because of its numerous black members affected by current events. It is more than okay that individuals with disabilities are a little selfish if they're saying that they don't want their neighborhoods looted because able-bodied people need to understand that individuals with disabilities aren't as mobile and can't get to different resources as quickly as they can. Most able-bodied people are replying that they are sure that someone will help them/us if need be but that's hard to believe when the pandemic was just starting hardly anyone reached out. Also, I have been seeing posts and comments of people who are defending #blacklivesmatter, calling other people autistic, retarded, slow, mental, very delayed, and I understand that they are saying all this out of in the moment anger and frustration, but it need to STOP because we are still here, listening, reading, and nonetheless helping. And no no no, we aren't requesting a pat on the back, but we do demand respect. I can only imagine the amount of hurt an individual supporting black lives matter and who has been bullied because of their developmental disability, might feel when the people they felt united with call another person the same word with what they were bullied with.

The other day I encountered an Instagram post, that really hits home and gave me some courage to write this blog today. (I reached out to this mother and she gave me consent to share her post)

"You have no idea the stress I carry thinking of the possible #policebrutality my young #blackking could face not only because of his race but also because of his #specialneeds and #disability... Our “talks” on what to do IF you are stopped by the police have increased to twice a day within the last couple of years as the number of black murders by police officers rose. Many of his movements are involuntary- will that arm spasm be the reason the officer pulls his weapon? His strength is notably stronger than someone twice his age and he is bound to be at least 6-feet like his father. Will that intimidate an officer giving him/her reason to use excessive force? His comprehension is delayed and things must be repeated and simplified. Will that annoy the officer or be understood as disregard to an order? If the officer yells at him, will he fight as he would normally react? It’s too much. I have to#preparehim for the world I #protect him from 💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾#boymom#mothertoson I do more than just post selfies and memes, I’m raising a king!" Instagram- @troysworld618

It is important now as ever, that we see humans as well humans. We cannot disregard the problems anymore. If you say you don't see color, you're not acknowledging the issue. When you say you don't see color, you don't see people as they are. Color is culture. Color is roots. We have to see color in order to be just. We have to see color in order to fix the oppression. We have to see color to move pass our racial biases. We have to see color in order for societal issues to change. When we see color for what they truly mean, which is diversity and inclusion, that's when the world begins to change for the better. Don't ignore the issue, instead recognize and acknowledge it and ask yourself how can you improve as a person.

I hope the world never goes back to what it once was because if it does then we have failed.

Comment section is open like always.

Thanks for reading!

XO Ashley

Ways to help/Resources:

Consider donating to The Chicago Community Bond Fund - https://chicagobond.org/

Text “FLOYD” to 55156 for George,

Text “ENOUGH” to 55156 for Breonna

Text “JUSTICE” to 55156 for Ahmaud

http://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/