We The People Matter (Updated)

Credits: cnn.com

I wasn't going to speak on this here, but I must say the last few weeks have been frightful. From BREXIT, and the apparent lack of leadership in the UK to the senseless mass killing of people like you and me in Orlando, and the exposure of police brutality and execution of a specific section of society in America.

This might not be my most popular blog post, however It just didn't feel right to continue to speak about wedding plans and chocolate hearts when so much injustice is going on.

The truth is that this kind of injustice have been going on for years in recent history. Think about Rodney King, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, and now Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. I remember about a month ago, watching a BBC documentary about US police brutality, and feeling enraged. But somehow my anger felt unjustified. How can I be angry at something this is not even going on in the country I live in? How can I comment on an experience I do not share in? Who will listen to me? Who would take me seriously?

Credits: thinglink.com

Then last week, when I watched the execution of Alton Sterling on Facebook, and felt sick to my stomach. The same sense of unjustified rage consumed me, and rendered me sleepless that night. I kept replaying the video clip in my mind. Sometimes mentally exchanging Alton Sterling's lifeless body for different family members. 

The morning after, we were all confronted by the execution of yet another African American male. Philando Castile. This time, it was live streamed, so we could all see the events being played out as they happened. For the sake of your sanity, and mine I will refrain from posting it here. If you would like to see it, please google it.

Credits: Seen.co

Later, I read that Philando Castile, wasn't a weed smoking, cigarette (or CD) selling gang member disrespecting the police, whilst waving his blue flag or red flag in their faces. He was a respectable family man, loved by the children he served at work and ready to comply with the police. And because it was all live streamed, the police and media alike could not tarnish his image, his life and his story with a bucket full of lies.

Having said that, I would also like to extend my condolences to the families of the five cops who also lost their lives to senseless violence. 

Credits: crisismagazine.com

A week later, I don't feel the same emotions of anger, but I still do feel frustrated and afraid, and a desperate need to do or say something to help. To those families mourning the loss of their brother, sister, son, daughter, father, mother or friend due to excessive police  brutality, I would like to say that SoulJourner's Story deeply empathises with your loss and  is in full support of the campaign.

#BlackLivesMatter

P.S Our hearts go out to the victims and families affected by the brutal attack in Nice, France