2020 felt like another group awakening for the black community. i say another because history seems to keep repeating itself. we deal with the injustice of our oppressors and when the pressure becomes unbearable, inhumane and injust, we fight back. sometimes we fight back physically, musically or in this case peaceful protesting.

in moments like this i tend to feel various emotions. the photographer in me says go out there and capture this moment as it is a time stamp in history. the black man in me says why should i be outside protesting to end racism when i don’t have the power to end it? id rather my non black counterparts on the frontline speaking to their brothers, sisters, fathers and friends about their injust actions. no, i don’t want to peaceful protest - i want to burn everything to the ground and let the world feel my frustration. the frustration being a visibly black man that does not fit the mold of general society unless i assimilate. counteracting the stereotypes i face for the sake of a job. the frustration of taking on a more pleasant disposition daily for the sake of work, survival while i watch my non black counterparts honour whatever disposition they feel in whatever moment. The frustration of feeling that my community (black) have been tricked out of our positions through media and music and some of us are too far gone to even care. the frustration of knowing that no matter how hard i work to stay out the way, it still doesn’t matter.

Still, somewhere in my mind i remain hopeful that these cycles wont keep repeating. and by that i mean us going out to protest racism then turn around and deal with our own kind like savages. hopeful that the black community can have a code of honour amongst eachother that holds one another accountable through love and respect and protects our lives and spirit against those trying to end it.