OPINION

REDEFINING SUMMER

Written by Raabia Quershi

Take a second to recall every transformative moment from this summer. The thousands of comments about student experiences with racism on Blue Valley’s Instagram post. The peaceful Black Lives Matter protest on 135th street and the violent one at the Country Club Plaza. The black squares on Instagram that, without the feature of beneficial information, did practically nothing. The people who you believed to be supportive but soon showed their true colors.

Our perception of ourselves and our community was torn down and rebuilt in a matter of a few weeks. Each instance reconstructed our perspectives, so to bury them in the back of our heads is an act of hypocrisy and injustice toward the Black community. They must constantly be playing in our minds as reminders and sources of virtue.

At the same time, pausing to acknowledge our growth is also imperative for us to keep going.

Before quarantine, I was an ignorant person. I lived in a bubble in which the words “Black Lives Matter” simply meant don’t be racist. I watched movements and protests with awe yet never considered joining one. The line between what I thought to be offensive versus a “joke” with no bad intentions was blurred.

George Floyd’s murder jolted me awake from a slumber of ignorance and naivety, from which I opened my eyes and saw the reality of systemic racism in our country.

Overnight, social media changed insight. The key is to embody enough completely. Gone were posts and humility and vulnerability allowing stories of anything other than a call you to acknowledge your mistakes and for justice for Floyd’s death. Any learn from those who can educate you. content otherwise screamed privilege On top of that, when friends or family and practically asked for judgement members make mistakes and apologize, and rightfully so. I hustled to repost it’s not your apology to accept if you’re every useful and thought-provoking not Black. infographic on Instagram with the The truth is, we weren’t given intention of educating those around a handbook. I’ve made countless me. mistakes, from posting a black

Soon, I realized, “don’t be racist” just square with the wrong hashtags to didn’t cut it anymore. spreading traumatic We must actively instagramuser videos with the right condemn racism by Posts intention, but wrong listening to those instagramuser outcome. Although who were victims the process often of it and amplifying involved immense their voices to benefit guilt, anger toward others. Read a book about the history of police brutality in THE FIGHT FOR [BLACK] LIVES myself and making amends, overcoming the situation with America. Listen to a podcast by someone who is Black and ISN’T A MOMENT, IT’S an enlightened perspective made it worthwhile. talks about the Black struggle in America. A MOVEMENT. Think back to the last time you signed Pay attention to their a petition or donated wounds and how you to a bail fund. The can heal them. Watch Black community a Netflix film about is still struggling, the disadvantages of instagramuser liked by janedoe and 1,028 others yet somehow we’ve Black children in poor June 2020 stopped fighting. The communities, “When fight for their lives They See Us” is a great isn’t a moment, it’s a one. movement. How about

I realized it’s OK we start treating it to not know. It’s OK to make mistakes like one and bring back the energy we as a result of not knowing. However, had in June. Go find ways to help at once you do know, do better. With blacklivesmatters.carrd.co every mistake comes growth and