#WeStandStrong

I am going to try to write a blog about what is going on in America without too many political views. You are right in understanding this well be hard. It is just important that truths are known that can affect the way we work, live and do business.
As a generation x black woman raised on the west coast, I knew very little injustice. In fact, the first racial injustice in my memory was the Rodney King beating in March of 1991. The entire community was outraged by the incident, but more so that the police officers (who were caught on camera) were not punished for brutally beating a man in a random traffic stop. This led to the 1992 riots portraying people of color as riotous angry people.
I am now a mother of three minority young men. They are absolutely amazing. They are in college and positive members of society. However, as a black mother of three minority sons, November 2016 changed my confidence in their safety. It changed my perspective in their success in the business world. You can ask why, but we all know why.
November 2016, a generation of older politicians, affluent businessmen, and neo Nazi supporters (who cannot agree on anything) came together to bring back laws that enslaved minorities. These same laws took away the right to vote, the right to live in any neighborhood, the right to fair employment, and the right to just be free.
The positive thing about this is, the age to technology and social media established a platform for awareness. Social media is bringing awareness of incidents of injustice that have happened in the past and currently. As a result, as a joined community we are saying “we will not go back”.
Now that I have ranted about the reason for this blog, I want to discuss how to build a social arsenal that can protect us from this fear to returning to a very negative time in American history. We need to be socially aware without living in fear. Here are some tips:

• Understand your diversity and history. You need to know what makes you unique.
• Always be an agent of positive change. Be willing to help in the community, and educate yourself on how to be positive.
• Create a network professionally and personally of advocates, mentors, mentees and family that know you and support your positive platform.
• Do not live in fear. If you are currently hiding in your cubicle fearing loss of employment or life because of this new resurgence or the past, discuss these fears in your group.
• Educate yourself and become lifelong learners. Knowledge is power!
• Keep your circle and network small and strong. You want people who know you and will support a positive environment.

I tried to stay away from politics while bringing awareness to something that is happening in America. It is difficult considering the changes that happened are centered around November of 2016. If we stand strong and follow the tips I presented, we can be the beautiful melting pot of survivors that we know we can be.
If you read this and you want to add comments or tips, please do. We must work together to stand strong.