An Open Letter To My Younger Self

Dear Caroline,

Be proud of how weird you are. The fact that you are outgoing and observant is a strength that you need to hold onto as you get older. One piece of advice though, please stop over straightening your bangs and smearing eyeliner on your eyes every chance you get. Just stop. And fun fact, once you hit puberty, your hair is going to become curly and it’s going to be a huge part of how you present yourself to the world. Also, you should learn how to do liquid liner on your top eyelid because it makes you look a lot more fierce than only having eyeliner on the bottom. It’s going to become your signature when you wear makeup.

You are not fat. You are so beautiful. Your body is changing in a way you don’t understand. At this time, you are the only one in your class who is curvy so it makes sense you don’t understand why you don’t look like everyone else. Your teachers and principal will fat shame you and that’s never okay. Luckily, you have amazing friends who are on your side and will never make you feel less than you are. This experience will make yourself view your body in a negative way but it will pave the way for you to see the beauty in yourself and your size. Your body is what takes you places and helps you experience the beauty and wonderful things in life. How could you hate something that is so awesome?

You had a tough time in elementary and middle school. You feel confused about who and what to believe and it scares you at times. Just know that this is the beginning of you seeing yourself as a free thinker. This pushed you to search deep down and discover your values and beliefs. You are going to find some incredible friends and teachers who will help you on your journey and will help to better understand your faith and your place in the world. This is so hard right now but I promise you it gets better and it is such a relief to know this.

You have such an incredible, loving and supportive family. They are the foundation you are built upon. Never forget to appreciate them and tell them how much they mean to you. Every journey you take in life, you have had your family’s support and encouragement and looking back, it is a huge reason as to why you are successful. You will always be able to count on them for a pep-talk and brutal honesty (even when you aren’t in the mood to hear it). Never forget how lucky you are.

You are privileged. You never had to worry about having a roof over your head or if you were going to eat. You always had a room to yourself. You’ve always had plenty of blankets to keep you warm and clothing to protect you. You always got new school supplies each year and you got to go on plenty of other shopping sprees. You got to try out every activity you wanted because your parents encouraged you to try new things. Always remember this. And remember to take that privilege and speak out for those who are not. Speak out when you see injustice and things that just aren’t right. Speak out against those who want to keep those living in poverty impoverished. Speak out against those who don’t believe that #blacklivesmatter. Continue to love your neighbor and use your voice for the greater good.

Remember what Ghandi said. “Be the change you want to see in the world”.

Black Lives Matter

First of all, I would like to say that I have paying a lot of attention to how I use my voice on other social media platforms, I have been neglecting to use my voice on my blog and I want to apologize to my readers for now speaking out here sooner. I am an ally of the black community and the Black Lives Matter Movement. I am working to educate myself on racial inequality, white supremacy, white privilege, police brutality, and many other topics necessary for me to fully understand my ignorance. I refuse to be ignorant any more. I refuse to not understand how my ignorance has aided in the oppression of my black brothers and sisters right under my nose. I have been speaking out on every social media platform I have an account on in an effort to keep the topic alive and keep people from forgetting that the people will not rest until justice is in order. I have also been making sure I sign petitions and donate in whatever capacity I can to help.

This blog does not tolerate hatred. It does not tolerate racism, hatred, ignorance, Trump, or any of the vermin in the government who support him. If you are someone who tolerates or supports anything I just listed, please either listen with an open mind with the intent of changing your ways, or leave immediately. I don’t need people like that and I don’t want people like that on this platform. I am not saying that in order to enjoy my blog you have to agree with everything I say. That could not be further from the truth. But when it comes to the issues of today and the Black Lives Matter Movement, anyone who does not support this post has no right to be here. My blog is a safe and loving space and it will not be tarnished by ignorance. I am done standing by and allowing people with gross values get away with publicly hating black people and other people of color because they just can’t understand how to be good people.

Our nation is hurting. People are dying because of the color of their skin. America has been plagued with racism since it’s gruesome founding hundreds of years ago. Our was founded on genocide, slavery, and cruelty. And the fact that we are still keeping up with these ideals today is sickening. I am disgusted that I live in a country where it is considered taboo or shocking to be standing up for racial justice. How have we become so skewed as a society that we allow this? Our nation is sick. Our justice system is malignant. We must fight to free American citizens of color from the systemic oppression that has been in place for 4oo years too long. We are done letting the system own the people. It’s time the people do something about the system.

Please consider streaming the video in the link below. Zoe Amira has created a video that features black artists and the ad revenue from it is going to support Black Lives Matter. Her video has inspired countless others to create similar videos and donate all ad revenue to the movement. It’s a way to contribute financially if you are low on funds. It’s a way to contribute if you aren’t low on funds. Either way, there is nothing but good that can come from taking time out of your day to stream these videos.

Video by YouTuber Zoe Amira