Racism is NEVER okay.

There is so much changing during this days even as COVID has halted so much.

As I look around, hear around, see around... what do I see?

I see division, I see hate, I see oppression.

How did we get here?

Was it silent before, was it no visible... was it not shared?

With media and social media being louder than before is it only now that is seeable, readable, shareable?

The hate being placed on race, color and culture is immense.

Yes, I know.... racism has existed for many centuries.

It was not okay then. It is not okay now.

I do not come from a privilege background, I do not come from "high society"

but I thank you...

I thank those from my childhood, those from my community.

I was a landed sponsored immigrant yet you did not treat me any different.

You saw me the same as you and treated me with the same respect.

You never made me feel oppressed.

My language was not English, my color may have been the same or different than yours.

I went to an elementary and high school where the people I knew where different but we treated each other the same.

I did not know race until I changed high schools in gr. 10.

I woke up slightly.

I was expected to be friends with only a group simply based on culture, this was not my view.

I did not adapt, I befriended and accepted all... not easy but I stayed true.

When I was nineteen, I saw hate towards a friend's friend simply because of ethnicity,

I woke up a lot.

I detached myself from those individuals and refused to allow the hatred into my soul.

Day and day out I am becoming more and more educated yet I still thank those who I met when I was young.

However... my heart hurts for those who were not as lucky as I, my heart hurts for those terrorized today.

My heart hurts for those who continue to get mistreated, bullied, and hated on simply based on ignorance.

Knowing what we know today, be the change today that you wish to see tomorrow.

Hate is NEVER okay.

See all, help all, love all.