This may seem all over the place this Sunday morning, but currently, I’m in a space of sadness due to what my friends are experiencing. Some have lost their jobs and are now seeking places to live, a way to pay for their vehicles, etc.; but the message is clear. In these unsettling times, our nation is at a crossroads. In this battleground, corporate greed and outdated power structures wage war against multiculturalism, freedom, and the very principles of equality and justice. Extending far beyond economic concerns, the ongoing turmoil exuding from the current administration strikes at the core of who we are as a society. Our fundamental liberties are being stripped away.
Underrepresented communities are being further buried. Our nation took 10 steps backward from a 5-point lead; it demands immediate attention and concerted actions to protect the rights of all of us and uphold our collective commitment to equality, equity, fairness, and justice.
Corporate interests and political allies have made their true intent for far too long. They hid behind a facade that said, we are “fixing” a broken system. They have sown division among us, using centuries-old narratives of superiority and exclusion to maintain their grip on power.
They are trying to eliminate the systems we built for ourselves to further hinder our progress. From our initiatives, organizations, schools, etc., they aim to weaken us to thwart our collective abilities. The spaces built for people of color are not acts of reverse discrimination; they are necessary sanctuaries created because white spaces have historically been, and often continue to be, unwelcoming and hostile. Colonization was, and remains, a form of theft—of land, culture, and dignity.
Recent events have only deepened the wounds inflicted by systemic racism. In the past 27 days, countless individuals have been left angry, heartbroken, and overwhelmed as jobs, homes, and hopes are being stripped away. But even in the face of these relentless assaults, our resolve must not waver. Now more than ever, we must come together to rebuild from the ground up. Why from the ground up? Because we must admit, somewhere we got it wrong too. Change begins at home, in the neighborhoods, and in families, which form the backbone of our society.
The strategy of our oppressors is clear: to keep us divided by denying the existence of the very discrimination that they perpetuate. The current powers-that-be are tearing apart our communities while aiming to rewrite the constitution and engineer a society where human dignity and fundamental rights are privileges reserved for a select few. Their rhetoric of “making America great” is a cruel irony—a hollow promise that enriches the few while condemning the many to struggle without the basic necessities of life.
Today, I’m angry, mad, sad, and rightfully so. Some say that emotions aren’t allowed. I say emotions evoked movements. Our ancestors were angry, sad, and upset, but they dried their eyes, put emotions to the side and worked. But again, those EMOTIONS, created movements that brought us freedoms.
We are witnessing the inhumane and painful consequences of the actions of these evil perpetrators who are causing harm to hardworking U.S. citizens who have just begun to build their futures and now are depressed and stressed at finding ways to support their families.
Jobs are disappearing, homes will go into foreclosure, and the lifeline of hope is fraying under the weight of greed and neglect of people who shouldn’t even be making decisions on our behalf. Those perpetrators are oblivious to the struggles of everyday citizens. Their actions are a stark reminder that we are expendable in the eyes of those in power.
While unity is our strength, we have to be mindful that, as the old saying goes, “not all skinfolk are kinfolk.” Be careful; not everyone who looks like us is our battle buddy. We must protect and preserve our culture, ensuring that our growth is not co-opted by those who have historically sown division.
What we are experiencing is what the need for solidarity looks like. Now is not the time for what organization or person wants exposure for “Me-isms” while overlooking the obvious. Looking inward to our communities and families, let’s build bonds meant to be built and forge alliances that can only positively enforce our situation. If you are feeling overwhelmed by the current state of our nation, seek support from one another, share resources, and, above all, remain steadfast in our pursuit of justice.
In the face of adversity, we must keep fighting—for our rights, dignity, and hopeful future.
Stay strong, and above all, keep the flame.
Pray for our leaders and so-called leaders, our community, our nation, and ourselves.
The battle is far from over, but together, we can reclaim our nation and restore the true meaning of democracy.
Monica is the founder and publisher of Black El Paso Voice. She is an advocate fighting against racism and embracing positive community involvement. She is a lover of God, Puerto Rican cuisine, and the greatest defender of her family. She also enjoy House Music and swears it’s the best music on the planet!