Intersectional Voices

Related Reading:
Finding Common Ground
"When Harry Met Sally"
Future Voices
Reflection: Santa Fe HS
What About Us?
Education Attack
Reflection: March For Our lives 
Reflection: Souls Healing 

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As I close my eyes and drift away to a land where there is love, health, peace, and blessings. I wanted to take the time to think and reflect. 

     The other day as I heard the song by Flaujae called "Guns Down". I was left in awe, not only because of her talent, but because of the message that this young performer was carrying. It echoed the many drive-by shootings and homicides that increased in frequency in the 1980 - 1990's. This was partly due to the new type of guns / pistols that were being produced. With gun violence we see patterns that emerge. These are in synchronicity with the progressions of society. As guns develop, so to do the uses and acts from individual cases, that targeted the Black (people of color), African-Americans, to the mass school shootings that are becoming more frequent. From targeting black (people of color), to now schools who have children that are predominately white. As I mentioned earlier - at the heart of gun shootings lies the cry for equality, and social justice.  We see this pattern when we learn of which communities were attacked prior, and now to the present moment. We could even use the unfortunate term as "pay back".

     But what was so powerful about this song were the last words: "put your guns down". When we shuffle away from the if's, but's, why, or how, and go back to the point of finding common ground - it is only then can we begin to understand that gun violence affects everyone. Regardless of race to socio/economic status. It rattles and shakes up communities. Whilst leaders do try to come together to enact change, or revise policy, real change (continuous improvement) can happen when people like Flaujae, the Parkland shooting victims, or the Santa Fe High School students raise their voices, and are able to raise their voices at the level of inter-sectionality. Our own race, ethnicity, faith, or how we choose to represent the self does matter, but this representation becomes much more powerful, when can speak up for others, transcending our own constructs. 

My thoughts to share with love & kindness! :)

Notes: These thoughts were originally hand-written on May 31st, 2018.
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