Tell your friends to pull up...

It's been day 12,543 since we were put in lockdown due to COVID. Okay, maybe I am exaggerating but it sure does feel like it been that long. During this time we have seen an uprising in the Black lives matter movement; we've seen countless protests, literally all around the world. What's nice is that white people and non-blacks are now having an awakening moment. What's even better is companies are now realizing that they need to take a look within their organization to see where the issues are and hold themselves accountable. Hashtag such as pull up or shut up was a way to call out the beauty industry and evaluate when it comes to blacks ( African Americans) how diverse was their company, not only at the employee level but in leadership roles as well.

African-Americans spend $1.2 trillion each year, and that number is projected to rise to $1.5 trillion by 2021. In 2018 the Black hair care industry raked in an estimated $2.51 billion, as Black consumers have progressively made the switch from general products to those that specifically cater to them. In 2017 African-Americans captured 86 percent of the ethnic beauty market, accounting for $54 million of the $63 million spent, Nielsen reported. In 2017 we also spent $127 million on grooming aids and $465 million on skin care.-Essence

We are also seeing black-owned businesses thriving as people are starting to support black-owned businesses. In addition, we are seeing a lot of major businesses re-brand itself due to their racist history. For instance, Aunt Jemima, If you didn't know, the image of Aunt Jemima was created in 1889 through an inspiration from a minstrel show. If you don't understand why it's a big deal, well these minstrel shows were a way to make fun of black people and humiliate often time dehumanize them and put in place false perceptions of black people ( like we are lazy). Now am I glad that Companies like Uncle Ben and Aunt Jemima ( which is owned by General mills) are re-branding itself, HELL YES! It's about time! It's just terrible to think that our voices are finally being heard only as a result of the passing of George Floyd. I don't want to sit here and say that I am not happy nor grateful for the changes that are happening. I think I can speak for most of us and say, we are happy companies are seeing the issues and are proactively making changes to include more diversity in their establishment or re-branding. So even though we are seeing changes in companies and defunding of the police one thing still remains Till this day we are still fighting for justice, we are still waiting for the cops to be arrested and charged for Breonna Taylor and for the killers of Elijah McClain to be sentenced.

Let me clarify this by saying, defunding the police doesn't mean that we will not fund the police it means that we won't HEAVILY FUND the police. If you don't get it, take a look at the gear that police officers are in, why does it look like they are dressed as characters of Halo or Call of duty? This isn't a war. And during a time of COVID, that money can go towards funding the hospitals so that they are better equipped when faced with this virus.

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As the days go by I feel like the conversation is getting less. What's disheartening ( and kinda concerning) is I am seeing less of these conversations on social media and it's making me think. Were people hopping on for the hype or have people just gone about their business. If that the case I want white people and non-blacks to know they have that luxury to just stop. We don't because every day we are reminded of our blackness every day we are reminded that we are "Niggers" every day we deal with some form of oppression whether that be at work or in the hands of police so we don't have that luxury to give up. You may be tired of hearing about it well I am tired of living it.

I definitely want that to rekindle that flame, that fire, that intensity we all felt when we first saw the viral video of George. Remember how it made you feel. If we don't get this done and if it's not done right then we will continue to see more Georges on our timeline more Breonna, Elijahs, Ahmaud. If you care about my life as I do yours you'd continue this fight. You don't have money to support the cause that's fine to keep posting, continue to have the conversation. Continue to educate yourself I wrote an article outlining books, documentaries, and podcasts that help you. I encourage you to continue this fight.

I am hoping we can leave this earth in a better place than how we found it.

How many of us in this room have colleagues and partners and friends from other races, sexes, religions? Well then, they want to break bread with you, right? They like you? Well then, this is their problem too. So when we're marching and protesting and posting about the Michael Brown Jr.s and the Atatiana Jeffersons of the world,.....

- Rihanna