Extra Credit - Change

Is it a time to conform? Is it a time to seek friendship? Is it a time to challenge? Is it a time to make change?

I believe that history is indeed repeating itself and changes have been needed for so long now.  Challenges have always been obstacles, but it's how we go over those walls, make way to go through them, and/or create a path to go around it.  Friendship isn't to be sought out for, from my experience I know the friends that are still around and are with you through all your ups and downs are your true friends.  Friendship comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors.  


For where I stand, I have a lot I've been trying to process.  Amid the COVID pandemic, parents in another country, talking to my daughter about racism, and worried for my youngest brother who's in the military/police officer.... its a lot to take in.


Today I felt like I needed to draw out something and the first thing I could picture in my mind was the powerful clenched fist. The closed raised fist we often see being held up is a symbol of solidarity & support. It's also used as a salute to express unity, strength, defiance, and/or resistance. We need to understand why, what, when, and how this symbolic gesture is historically used. They mean different things even in regards to the left and right hand. This sign (sometimes including holding an item has meaning) was used in wars, black power movement, olympics, feminism, black lives matter activists & more... 


One event that I remember learning about and I connected with was during the medal ceremony in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City on October 16, 1968, two African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos each raised a black-gloved fist during the playing of the US national anthem on the podium seen by people all over the world. They ended up losing their medals, forced off the USA team, and persevered even more after that event. A strong and powerful statement even til this day.




(Images I sketched)

Educate yourself and continue to learn. 🖤✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

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