#BlackLivesMatter

This is actually the 1000th post on this blog so I wanted it to be meaningful.

This 2020 is certainly nobody's year: first, the fires destroyed half of Australia's forests and wildlife, then COVID-19 pandemic started in Asia, spread all over to Europe and now is devastating the American continents...thank goodness, there has been news all over the world of good deeds done by medical staff, social workers and common citizens and that lifted my spirit a bit.

Art by Quentin Monge

But, unfortunately, that didn't last long: protests started again in Hong Kong against the new regulations and laws China wants to impose, and, on the other side of the globe, the death of George Floyd ignited the fire of new protests.
Because his death wasn't an isolated case and black people continue to be treated differently, I think it's time for a change and this period of forced lockdown could actually turn into a great way to start it!

My knowledge on the matter is certainly not expert-level and I don't want this post to be political or anything else; I'm not trying to be a moralist nor I want to pretend I know what it's like to be stigmatized, bullied or even killed because your skin color is different.

I'll share thoughts-provoking photos, pictures, and videos because that's what we should all do: reflect on how unjust and hurtful racism is.

Syrian artists Aziz Asmar and Anis Hamdoun realized a mural in Binnish, Syria.
FYI: Syrian civil war is still going...towns and civilians are bombed on almost a daily basis.

Ph: time.com

County Sheriff Chris Swanson joined #BlackLivesMatter protesters for a peaceful march in Flint, Michigan. (credits to the rightful owner)

Art by Danielle Coke

I'm well aware these are just pictures and quotes and if we want to see a tangible change we must educate ourself first and stand up against bullies and injustices, STILL, I'm against all kind of violence, I don't support people who use this and other social issues to vandalized shops and use innocents deaths as an excuse.
This could be our best opportunity to change things, let's not waste it by adding more hate.

BOOKS YOU CAN READ ABOUT RACISM (fiction and no-fiction)

● Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela
● The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley
● The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
● To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 
● The Help by Kathryn Stockett 
● The Color Purple by Alice Walker 
● The Green Mile by Stephen King

Not a reader? Don't worry, all these books have their own movie adaptation!

MOVIES YOU CAN READ ABOUT RACISM 

There are tons of petitions you can sign and donate to and also ways you can support the cause even if you don't have the means right now, like HERE, where you can watch the ads on this video and all the AdSense money the video makes will be donated to the #BlackLivesMatter campaigns.

These are dark times and let's not forget that there are people struggling because of prejudices all over the world.

I sincerely fail to understand what so difficult in doing a good deed rather than a bad one.

What started as a "Justice for George Floyd" movent should be used as a start to end all kinds of discriminations all over the planet because I don't want to hear one more person saying 'I can't breath'.

My thoughts, prayers, and the promise to stand up against this kind of injustices go to the family of Ahmaud Arbery Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and to anyone who had to go through the loss of a dear one for futile motives like skin color.