The Fight to End Racism
The past few months have been filled with unrest and protests throughout the country. A few weeks ago I decided to join in on some of these protests, I am a third-generation Hispanic and felt like a minority in this country I had to join and show support and stand up to racism. I joined the streets chanting BLACK LIVES MATTER and saying George Floyd with mounds of people. The death of George Floyd sparked anger across the United States and the world the entire account was captured on a cell phone. The disturbing video showed three Minneapolis police officers holding George Floyd down while one office kneeled on his neck. The ordeal lasted over 9 minutes while George pleads for his life and telling the police officer that he could not breathe. This ultimately cost George his life and he died in the hands of police officers. The video was deeply saddening I recall watching the entire video and it really sparked anger.
This is only one of the many cases where skin color played a vital role in how white police officers acted resulting in death. While I was protesting with others on the streets I recall clips of the video play in my head. As I marched with people I was able to feel the anger as we walked peacefully through the streets of downtown San Jose demanding change and justice. While I was out I decided to bring my Pentax K1000 and loaded this with black and white film. The reason I decided to use film was because the issue of racism goes far back much like black and white film. The idea was to capture captivating images that invoke emotion and bring awareness to racism. It’s embarrassing to see racism especially here in America which is supposed to be a “developed country”. Minorities in this country are tired of being told to “go home” when in all reality the white people that shout this are immigrants themselves. I myself have experienced racism from being stared at when I stop at gas stations where people don’t look like me or being followed through a store to make sure I don’t steal. I also experienced systemic racism as a youth when the school system placed me in ESL (English as a Second Language) until 11th grade even though I spoke perfect English. My Hispanic grandmother has been told to learn English when in reality the people that say this should learn Spanish since 39% of the California population is Hispanic. I stand with the Black Lives Matter Movement, as a minority, no lives will matter until Black Lives matter. Take the time to discuss the issue of race ask questions like why is my town only white? Why don’t people of color live in my neighborhood? Why are schools that are in high minority areas less funded? A lot of these issues are not coincidences it’s a system designed to oppress people of color.
