when social media invites you to step up, please accept.

Corona. COVID-19. Quarantine. Six Feet. Virus.

These are the buzzwords that we have been aware of since early March when the world seemed to turn upside down.

We have had time to adjust to new lifestyles, masks, and social distancing. We have had time to sit and think about ourselves, reflect on our hobbies, and catch up on some reading. We have had time to take a breath.

Until now.

Until a simple breath no longer became an option for a man named George Floyd, and the world turned upside down again.

Perhaps the already present tensions of COVID-19 and increased usage in social media created a perfect storm. Whatever the case, the video from May 25 struck humanity with an overwhelming fire.

For black men and women this was years of discrimination and stereotyping and racism boiled down in one video. I, as a white female, am not able to begin to imagine the emotions that the video conjured inside the minds of millions who have fought so long and so hard to be seen simply as an equal human being.

Thus, when I felt my own hurting sadness grow into an intense urge to make noise, I wondered how on earth people have let this go on for so long. Amongst the yelling in my own mind, one voice became clear: we, as humanity, must fight this together.

In the weeks since the tragedy, I have never seen social media being used so incredibly. Continuous messages and words in support of black lives have spread like wildfire. Every person is forced to read posts about protests, donating, and how to show support beyond social media. While some may think this is a bombardment, I want to scream at those people:

The bombardment is necessary because people will become complacent without it.

And while yes, there is a point in which a post only does so much, it is up to your individual conscience to take the next step. However, it is the "bombardment" of posts that inspire me–and others I hope–to do so.

This weekend my neighbor held a lemonade stand to raise money for protesters who had gone to jail. Where did she advertise? Social Media. My friends made cookies to support Just City Memphis. Where did they advertise? Social Media.

Thus, I encourage engagement. Read what your black friends are posting. Repost it. Read how to show support. Show support. Read a post on the next step. Take the next step. Read about a cookie sale. Buy the cookies. Read where the protests are. PROTEST! (If you are allowed to obviously.)

Allow the posts to inspire you. Allow them to set fire within you. Allow that passion to spread.

Because that is how we will fight this together.

Much love,

Chloé