Society has long sought to deny Black people their equality and humanity. The weaponization of Black skin, leading to senseless murders at the hands of police, is not a new phenomenon. What is new, however, is that the COVID-19 pandemic forced the nation to slow down—and in doing so, to finally take notice. With distractions and barriers stripped away, the country was confronted with the undeniable reality of systemic, unwarranted degradation and the heartless killings of Black people by those sworn to protect.
Individuals wrapped in privilege, fully aware of the dangers Black people face from law enforcement, have maliciously wielded 911 calls as weapons—placing even more targets on Black lives, all while the world watched. This is the harsh reality Black people have endured for generations. The only difference now is that these injustices, and the movements that rise against them, are televised, livestreamed, and posted across social media. The United States can no longer bury its head in the sand and pretend systemic racism does not exist. It is time to wake up, stand up, and take action to end police brutality—because Black Lives Matter.
Once, Black people were regarded as property—we fought for our humanity, and we won. Once, we were isolated, denied access to society, forced to attend segregated schools, relegated to the back of buses, and barred from libraries—we fought for our inclusion, and we won. Once, we were denied basic human rights, including the right to vote—we fought for our rights, and we won. The fight for equal and fair treatment in the United States has never been easy, yet we continue to face each challenge with resilience.
Equity, diversity, and inclusion are not just words—they are actions. The time for silence and complicity has long passed. Black people are being murdered, and we must demand change. I urge allies to educate themselves, engage in meaningful conversations, and take concrete steps to dismantle systemic and institutional racism. Together, we can fight for freedom—and together, we can win.
-Librarian Shamika
