BLM & Relax to Survive

I’ve taken the last couple weeks to intentionally reflect and continue to learn about what it’s like to be black in America. I know I will never fully understand what it’s like, but I stand with Black, Brown, and Indiginous people and the BLM movement. I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I am changing the things I cannot accept. Racism and violence towards Blacks has been going on for 400 hundred years and it’s up to us (white people) to acknowledge that and stop that hatred and violence from continuing today.

 I also acknowledge the privilege that my skin color provides. I've been privileged in many ways to have relationships with amazing people of different races, religions, ethnicities, backgrounds, and places of origin. Because of these relationships, I thought I understood race. I now realize that I can never fully understand.  I was privileged enough to grow up in a diverse neighborhood in New Jersey and some of my first friends and teammates were Black. Before, I told myself that I did not see their color, but I stand corrected. Seeing color is important, it is part of an acknowledgement that Black, Indigenous people of color have been constantly reminded to be vigilant about the color of their skin to survive.  

I know that I can do more and continuing to educate myself and others around me is just the start to making a difference.  I need to demand justice for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Tony Mcdade and other countless individuals who have fallen victim to the system that is corrupt and supports white supremacy to the highest degree. I need to demand criminal justice reform including defunding police departments and putting money back into education, mental health and community services.

The “Relax to Survive” brand and I personally stand in solidarity with all Black, Indigenous people of color. People of color have had to consciously think about “surviving” in this country for over 400 years and counting. I acknowledge that my privilege has granted me a metaphorical shield because I do not have to wake up everyday thinking about surviving through a day of hatred or danger. I pledge to continuously educate myself on the issues at hand, and represent the voices of Black Indigenous people of color in Relax to Survive’s content. I hope that “Relax to Survive” will resonate with you as you fight to disrupt white supremacy within yourself and in the world around you. Remember to take those small moments of relaxation as we continue to fight for the survival of Black and Brown lives.