Enough!

Black Lives Matter. Black and Brown communities need support from nurses and all aspects of health care--we need to increase education and resources in all ethnic communities.

Like so many others, I find myself astonished by the hate and hostility aimed at Black and Brown individuals--amid my shock, I regain my senses and know that this is the status quo. There is no alternate reality, no escape, no place to go to find equality--therefore, equality must be demanded, this has gone on for too long. Racism has many faces and presentations, it is intertwined in every aspect of our society, at times it is difficult to identify its insidious existence and suppressive nature. The watering down of the history of slavery, native genocide, along with so many other examples of ethnic injustice--is unforgivable and an insult to all ethnic communities.

I am Dine' (Navajo) descended from the Tsi'naajinii (Black Streak Wood People) and Naakai dine'e (Mexican People) clans, I am Black, I am White. I feel saddened by the pain that continues to be inflicted on Black and Brown communities. I am not naive in thinking these disgraceful inequities will improve soon, but the actions being carried out right now to address these issues will have a lasting effect and that is what matters. It matters that the people who have historically gone unchecked in this world are recognized and need to be held accountable for their racist and suppressive acts. It matters that all of us who come from various ethnic backgrounds are proud of our race and history. It matters that George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others have not died in vain.

How many more mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, children need to die?Enough is enough!

Today, my cousin passed away, her name was Gloria and she was 48 years old. Her death is an unfortunate example of a vicious cycle and habit that has ravaged Dine' and other tribes. Alcoholism has followed Native American's since the 1700s--another example of ethnic suppression that remains relevant after hundreds of years. The loss of Gloria and so many others is a stark reminder that a deep trench of disparity exists in this country, separating the privileged and the repressed. So much has been stolen--lives, languages, traditions, customs--despite the obvious transgressions that have taken place--people still cannot understand why an uprising is occurring, the ignorance is mind-blowing.

I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change...I am changing the things I cannot accept.

-Angela Davis