Freedom Summer conference, Protest against
police brutality & protest against George Will & his offensive &
obnoxious comments regarding women and rape. 3 different moments connected by
one common denominator, the freedom I felt and experienced.
Being at the Freedom Summer conference
was invigorating! To reflect on the lives and experiences of those who came to
Oxford, Ohio in the summer of 1964 to train to register voters and hear about
how we've moved forward since then was inspiring. The theme of the conference
was "Celebrating Freedom: Understanding the Past,
Building the Future" and I couldn't help but wonder who
freedom we were celebrating? Being in spaces with people who cared about the
same things I did was freeing. I felt free, even if it was only temporary.
I participated in
my first protest and march last Wednesday. Black Women Empowered (BWE)
organized a protest for the National Day of Protest Against Police
Brutality, Repression, and the Criminalization of a generation. They
encouraged those who wanted to participate to wear black all day and then walk
out of wherever you were at 12pm noon to gather and march together. I was
encouraged to see students, faculty and other staff members
come together to stand together. We went around
campus, chanting, and being in solidarity with others for something that
matters and impacts me personally was amazing. I felt powerful and
free!
Just because we
have the right to free speech doesn't mean what we say is always good. That's
how I feel about George Will speaking at Miami. That is why I was one of over
1000 students, faculty and staff who signed an open letter opposing the
university's decision to have him speak on campus. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/10/21/miami-university-george-will_n_6017292.html Standing
alongside other staff, faulty and students to protest his speech was powerful.
A small group of people can make a difference and we did. Although his speech
still happened, there was a clear message that not everyone in the Miami
community agreed with it. I left the protest feeling hopeful.
Who is really free? I have pondered this
question for a long time and have concluded that we don't all have the same
freedom. We're suppose to live in the land of the free & home of
the brave. But who is free? Who gets the privilege of calling this place home?
As a black woman I find that I don't have the
same freedom as those around me. The freedom to live a life where every action
of mine isn't scrutinized or perpetuates some negative stereotype about black
people or women. The freedom to live a life by my own terms in my own way. True
Freedom.
- True Freedom looks like being passionate about an
issue, voicing that opinion and not being seen as the angry black woman.
- True Freedom looks like walking to my car after my
8:40pm class and not being afraid and looking over my shoulder to see if
I'm being followed.
- True Freedom looks like my voice being taken seriously
in front of any audience.
- True Freedom means having a seat at the table because
my voice matters not to fill a quota or give the illusion of diversity.
- True Freedom looks like wearing my natural hair out in
a fro without receiving funny looks or comments about it not being professional.
True Freedom. Who really has it? Are you
willing to fight so that all do? I know I am. Who will join me?
