Small Steps toward BIG CHANGE
2020 has been nothing short of uncertainty, isolation, stress, and most importantly, one of the most paramount periods of our lives. In the wake of the racially driven murders of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd, America’s attention has been more hyper-focused than ever on orchestrating change in the Black community. With petitions being signed, streets in cities being painted with the words “Black Lives Matter”, donations being made, new laws being put in motion, one can say that some progress is being made.
The job is not close to being done, and mind you, the job really will never be done. So you’ve donated to a cause, signed petitions, maybe marched in the streets amid a pandemic. “What more can I do to help support the efforts of achieving racial equality in America?” More specifically, what more can you do in the city that you currently reside in?
Combating a corrupt system that has oppressed Black people and POC for centuries is not an overnight solution. Same goes with racism in America. But what we as individuals need to realize is that we each have a voice, no matter how big or small the platform is. We must use that to keep the conversation going. We must continue to have the uncomfortable conversations with family, friends, co-workers, and bystanders.
Silence is violence. We cannot let the momentum of this movement die down. We will not let it. But that starts with each and every person taking minutes out of your days to become informed about the injustices that have been going on in this country and speaking out on them. Educate your fellow peer and promote empathy amongst the population.
3 Up 2 Up has teamed up with Base Camp Printing to create Freedom Tee’s with 40% of the proceeds being donated to CARE (Call to Action for Racial Equality). CARE is a statewide racial justice leader, dismantling oppressive structures plaguing communities of color across West Virginia. CARE builds power that combats systemic racism in West Virginia through community organizing, youth leadership development, and policy change. West Virginia natives both far and near have taken action by contributing to over 1K in donations thus far!
In the heart of Appalachia, we have no choice but to band together as a community to overcome the socioeconomic challenges that we have been dealt. 3 UP 2 UP is dedicated to taking small steps towards BIG change. As such, we also crowdsourced collaborations via social media with our very own here in West Virginia on designs that showcase our state in a creative fashion.
With several peaceful protests in West Virginia’s more urban areas such as Wheeling, Charleston, Huntington, Martinsburg, and Bluefield, 3 Up 2 Up is determined to share information and practical knowledge to help keep the social justice conversation alive. We ask that you do the same to help etch your name in the fight for racial justice history books. For all lives to matter, we must understand that Black Lives Matter.
