Enough is Enough. #BlackLivesMatter

Excuse me if this is a lot less eloquent than my usual blog posts.

As today marks three years of being back in T&T, I had planned to do more of a tribute post to my country – including a list of local brands I’ve really enjoyed using since being back. Based on the happenings within the last month (every day happenings if we’re being honest), I felt I needed to delay my post because the content of this “new” post takes precedent.

Today’s post instead is solely dedicated to the Black Lives Matter Movement. My heart aches every time a new video surfaces. The fact of the matter is – acts of injustice, such as judging a person by the color of their skin, (specifically black skin) has been leading to heinous acts. Acts such as murder. Whether they are recorded or not – they happen every day and they are UNACCEPTABLE.

I want to add that your silence in a time such as crucial as this means you are tolerating the injustice. I also want to make it clear that not because this is a trending topic means the awareness stops here…
I’ve always had a problem with just awareness. I understand it’s importance, but there must be steps to be taken after the fact. I hope by me posting these links that you also take the step to not just be aware…

If you are unsure of what is happening, please educate yourself! https://www.thecut.com/2020/05/13-books-you-should-read-about-black-lives.html

For the last several days, I have been compiling a list of petitions, funds, and protest dates. Instead of posting on my Instagram Stories, I’ve included them in this post as it’s a more permanent place to locate and easier to navigate. It’s an ongoing list, so I will be updating it as frequently as I can.

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/#

https://www.grassrootslaw.org

https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-responds-minneapolis-police-killing-george-floyd

https://www.patreon.com/theconsciouskid

https://support.naacp.org/onlineactions/HTLjqYG940WATTV_Y_SUUQ2

https://www.standwithbre.com

https://www.runwithmaud.com/#petition

https://www.justiceforbigfloyd.com

http://www.freefrom.org

The following are protest dates specifically for New Jersey. I, of course have a special place in my heart for the state. Please be reminded to be cautious during these protests. We must not forget that we are still in the middle of a pandemic. Wear your masks! Social distance as best as you can. Keep hand sanitizer on your person.

June 2nd – Jersey City 6PM | Middletown 12PM

June 4th – Carteret 4PM

June 5th – Union 1PM | Hoboken 1PM | Newark TBD | Perth Amboy 2PM

June 6th – North Bergen 3PM | West Orange 12:30PM | Jersey City 4PM

If you live in one of the following states, go out and vote! Visit rockthevote.org for more info.

June 2nd – New Mexico | District of Colombia | Rhode Island | Pennslyvania | South Dakota | Indiana | Montana | Iowa

June 9th – West Virginia | Georgia | North Dakota | Nevada | South Carolina

June 23rd – New York | Kentucky | Virginia

June 30th – Colorado | Utah | Oklahoma

My fellow blogger and boo, Taylor of taytreschic.com, has also linked some important information on her blog. Please click here to further educate and support.

As a Trinidadian, I have yet to find organizations that are creating actionables for us here in T&T. I promise I will continue to scout and find ways we can make an impact.

Above all, as a Christian, I want to remind us that you can’t love God and be racist. You can’t love God and specifically hate your black brothers and sisters. There is no room in God’s kingdom for such atrocities. I won’t rant about it now, but I’ll leave you with this..

I hope to see and be apart of this change.

Charissa xx

UPDATE! (June 9th)

If you are unable to donate, I have found some Youtubers who are donating the revenue they’ve earned on specific videos to the Black Lives Matter Movement. All you have to do is watch the entire thing! As this is a beauty & lifestyle blog, the videos I’ve linked are also related to such topics.

Raven Elyse Amazon Finds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5vfMHDrufs

Allyiah’s Face 25th Birthday Vlog
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAiKaeC-qRw

Kathleen Lights Full Face Black Owned Beauty Brands
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAiKaeC-qRw