These past few weeks

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I’ve stayed silent online. In some parts, I wanted to lessen my digital noise in the hopes that the voices of the black communities would be heard stronger.

I also didn’t know what to say. See, I’m that awkward friend who is awful at comforting a friend in distress because expressing emotions are not my forte. When #blackouttuesday happened, I thought that could be my way of showing my support without tripping over my words. But then I learned that the movement was actually causing more harm than good. So I took down my black square.

I thought I knew the rough history of how slavery started and ended. I thought I knew the perils of the black community. I thought we as a nation defeated racism for the most part.

I was naive.

The flood of protests that happened these past few weeks opened my eyes, my ears, and my heart to the ridiculous amount of injustice in this world.

I wanted to step away from my usual travel-related online activities and spend it learning and reflecting. I watched a few Netflix shows regarding racism towards the black community but the majority of my time on social media was spent reading and listening to countless personal stories.

I am thankful for so many of the black voices that spoke about their experiences in dealing with racism. Without those recollections, I don’t think it’s possible for me, an Asian woman, to even fathom the trauma that can occur when your lives are at the mercy of the very people whose jobs are “to protect and serve”.

It blows my mind that the Black Lives Matter movement has become worldwide. Part of me is amazed that the world could even unite like this. Another part of me is just in shock that the issue of race is so polarizing. Why is it so polarizing? Whatever happened to treat thy neighbor as thyself? What is so hard to grasp about treating people like human beings?

As hard as these past few weeks were, it was also a necessary step to take towards fighting injustice. It brought to the surface a lot of issues that a lot of people, including myself, were ignorant on. It allowed discussions on race with friends and family members that was based on educating one another in a more concentrated and empathetical way.

Considering this is a blog focused on travel, I love seeing beauty in every culture and ethnicity we come across and I hope this is one of the commonalities that I have with you, the reader. What makes us different is also what makes us beautiful.

Moving forward, I will continue to listen and learn about the plight of the black community, and try to help where I can.

I hope my ramblings made sense. I did warn you that I’m not great with expressing emotional thoughts.

What I’m really trying to say is:

Black lives matter.

Happy Juneteenth!