I know that this is an artist’s website. I know that I am trying to get you to go to the contact page and book a shoot. But I am a black man first. And I must speak on behalf of the lives we’ve lost, particularly the tragic end of Breonna Taylor’s life. This is not a political statement. This is, and always has been, a matter of life and death. Her wrongful murder and complete lack of justice served by the system have caused me to look inward. What efforts have I made to protect the Black Woman? Have I been complicit in the misogynoir they face daily?
My first niece was born at 6:05pm on September 22, 2020. The next day, the verdict of the Breonna Taylor case showed me that this fight is long from over, despite a summer full of worldwide Black Lives Matter protests. My dedication to the protection of Black Women must extend far beyond the occasional tweet or post in memoriam. First and foremost, we must vote in favor of Black Women. Facing the double edged sword of misogyny and racism, we have to understand that when their protection and security is guaranteed, ALL of us will be free.
I have come short in protecting Her. It was hard for me to recognize this in myself. The events of 2020 have caused me to reckon with my own sins. In the aftermath, I felt free, but there is still a great deal of work to be done. If you feel as if you haven’t done enough or would like to do more, start in your own community. Engage in those tough conversations that are required to see what you need to do to grow as an individual, then focus your attention on the needs of your community. You can even contact me. We can do this together.
