Movement is the song of the body, and these dancers are singing a song of justice. Jimmy R.O. Smith, Jamaica Craft, Chachi Gonzales and Kyle Hanagmai are only a few of those chanting for change.
- Jimmy R.O. Smith
“There is only one battle we are all fighting & it comes in EVERY age, race, economic class, gender, profession, position & title; GOOD vs EVIL”
Photo and caption: Jimmy R.O. Smith Instagram Post
- Haley Fitzgerald
“I hope you are listening to everyone’s story.
I hope you are learning.
I hope you are having conversations.
I hope you are proud of your new and continuous growth.
I hope you are spreading love.
———
I marched today.
I vocalized.
I supported.
I took in all of the beauty of unity.
I am now sitting in the grass on break from a bike ride. I’ve been riding around my neighborhood for about a half hour. Looking at the houses and seeing lives just living. I enjoyed the trees. I enjoyed the bird’s songs. I enjoyed seeing kids playing in their yards. I said hello to every human I passed. And I closed my eyes (lil dangerous lolz) and enjoyed the breeze on my face.
I am fighting for my generation and for the future generations while remembering to be thankful for the small things.
Keep it up everyone. Change is coming.
Spreading love to the world.
Xo”
Photo and caption: Haley Fitzgerald Instagram Post
- Jamaica Craft
“SCREAMING I AM Strong, Tired, Angry, Feed Up, Powerful, Focused and Ready!!! Ready for change. I’m so proud to be BLACK!! Fear and Hatred has to be turned into Love and Understanding! To my brothers and sisters before this time and right now thank u for standing up for what’s RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING FOR CHANGE. #BLM#georgefloyd THE TIME IS NOW!!”
Photo and caption: Jamaica Craft Instagram Post
- Chachi Gonzales
“Don’t let fear of not knowing what to say about racism keep you from acknowledging it at all. Now is the time to speak up and be the change we want to see in the world. Educate yourself. Ask questions. Let’s come together to raise awareness about what’s happening in the world. #BlackLivesMatter #GeorgeFloyd#ICantBreathe
For those who want to research more:
Photo and caption: Chachi Gonzales Instagram Post
- Kyle Hanagami
“Today I went to the protests in Hollywood. We marched for 7 miles, crying together and shouting for justice.
I still see people saying this is the wrong way of doing things. I see people who are combining the protests with the riots and looting. They are not the same. The protest I went to today was peaceful and beautiful. It was about empowering the voices of Black men and women so that real change can be made in a system that is so obviously rigged against them.
As a man who isn’t black, I’ve had many conversations with friends and people of varying racial backgrounds about what’s happening. I found myself checking with my Black friends if it’s okay to post this or that because I was scared of misrepresenting a movement that wasn’t mine. But I realized this is all of our movement. We all should be shouting “Black Lives Matter”. To all my non-Black friends and followers, stop waiting for someone to give you the okay to support the cause. You’ve been given a voice. Use it.”
Photo and caption: Kyle Hanagami Instagram Post
- Ingrid Silva
“As a Black Woman and Founder of @empowher_ny
I’m devastated, not only by what happened to George Floyd, but also for what has been happening in the Black Community for years!! If you are silent, you are part of the problem. Let’s not be part of a selective feminism, let’s fight and urge help for all causes. As I always say, it is important for our community to have a voice, now it’s time to use it. Right now we need every single one of you!!
To SPEAK UP!
You don’t have to be black to voice your opinion, it is a matter of Empathy! Here is how to support organizations, donate, educate yourself & others
You can sign a petition, just don’t be silent!”
Photo and caption: Ingrid Silva Instagram Post
- Todrick Hall
“I know everyone is posting and this a very scary time, but here are some post that I saw created by @courtneyahndesign and I wanted to share because I think they are very eye opening. I hope that touch your heart and help change minds. Praying for our country. Sad that it has come to this, but there comes a time when enough is enough. There is no way that people aren’t listening now. This can’t be ignored. Times are changing, if you’re white and you’ve posted nothing during this entire time, I personally believe that you’re on the wrong side of history. It’s time to have talks, and your parents and grandparents are an excellent place to start. Go watch documentaries, educate yourself, YOU HAVE THE TIME & go do your part to help make this country safe for people who look like me. Not so that we can have an opportunity to experience privilege, but so that we can have an inkling of a chance of finally feeling equal.”
Photo and caption: Todrick Hall Instagram Post
- Jojo Gomez
“To my beautiful black brothers & sisters – I love you. I stand with you. You are heard. And you are not alone. My career in the entertainment industry has been heavily influenced/inspired by black culture. And it pains me to see my friends & this culture that I love dearly suffering the way that it is. And for how long it has been. It’s time for all of us to use our voices. If you think you are – get louder. Especially to my friends with massive platforms & have many eyes on them daily. Please take a stand for what’s right. Justice for all the black lives that were taken due to racism & police brutality. Justice for our society. And justice for their names.”
Photo and caption: Jojo Gomez Instagram Post
- Megan Batoon
“even if words fail you right now, use your actions. when the words come, use them to continue talking with people in your immediate circles and calling out racism when you see it- because you will see it.
i donated to @colorofchange and @mnfreedomfund if you want to join me but there are many others that would benefit from your help.
donate if you can.
ask questions even if you feel stupid.
have clunky conversations as long as you’re talking about it.
Research.
bare minimum, realize and be aware of the parts of you that are privileged and keep that in mind on a daily basis.
do whatever you want, but doing nothing is no longer an option.
more resources to educate:
Photo and caption: Megan Batoon Instagram Post
- Matt Steffanina
“I’m not sure of the right thing to say at a time like this, but I know that I need to use my platform to speak out in support of justice, of equality, of love. I acknowledge that I will never know what it’s like to be a black man or woman in this country but I know what equality looks like and I know that what happened to George Floyd was murder. As someone who was fortunate to grew up in a diverse community it’s hard to understand how someone could treat someone differently purely because of the color of their skin.
Everybody, especially those that are in a position of priveledge like myself, need to stand up for what is correct and just. We are all human, we are all one. To my brothers and sisters I hear you, I see you, I feel for you and I support you. It’s not enough to just post on instagram, if there is going to be a change it starts with having tough conversations and taking action. There is a link in my bio if you’d like to learn more or take action and donate along with me. Praying for George, his family and everyone else who had been victim to senseless violence and abuse of power, we are all in this together.”
Photo and caption: Matt Steffanina Instagram Post
