by Baton Rouge, Minnesota and Dallas.

There is still little info on the black man found hung from a tree in Atlanta and there is even a video of a black man being shot over a traffic incident in NYC but we hear nothing about it.

Last week seems to be a pivotal one as as many of us have undoubtedly though somewhere in the back of our minds that sooner or later something was going to blow as you can't keep killing people without some eventual blow back.

I don't think we've seen the last of it either.

I feel much better knowing the protesters have legal representation to help them against Baton Rouge's messed up legal system.

Every time I have tried to explain to someone white what my community goes through day in and day out, I'm told to shut up, I'm told all lives matter and I'm told my people are making this worse. I'm tired, I'm just plain tired. So instead of trying to talk to someone, I'm writing a novel in which the protagonist explains what it is like being profiled by the police while trying to protect a county that doesn't like black people. It's helping

I no longer try to educate the willfully ig'nant on the systemic racist issues in this country. That's helped my peace of mind so much.

Great phrase, and unfortunately sums up so much about our times.

That's exactly where I am right now.

Things have gotten boring as far as my social life goes, and I wish I wasn't flat broke and knew how to drive. At the same time, I'm thankful that my family is safe and is equipped with the bare necessities of life, and I'm thankful to have graduated 2 months ago. I try to have a "things could be worse" view of life.

Really too sad that more people can't look at the world this way, even when things are crap-tacular as hell like they are now.

And boy, why don't you know how to drive???

I was talking with my older sister a few weeks ago about the "it could be worse" view, and she said that of course it could always be worse unless you're dead, but she doesn't think it helps solve whatever problem a person is facing. I think it's possible to do both. I try to make the most out of bad situations and work to get myself out of holes.

As far as my driving situation goes, there are 2 things setting me back: a lack of money for driving lessons (lessons cost $130 each) and for buying a car, and my nervousness behind the wheel. A few years ago I had a used Porsche, but it was stolen out of my family's front yard while we were gone. I also had a used Cutlass, but it was totaled when someone drove too fast down a hill and hit our house during a rainy day. I've had to devote money towards school, bills, rent, and groceries the past few years, and haven't been able to save up.

people that keep insisting they are advocates for and allies of Black folks, keep proving that they are not.

That's what the media wants us to do.

they need to feel uncomfortable

I don't care if they hate the pressure, we need to crank up the pressure.

like I tell my kids fuck sitting down .I've been told to sit down, calm down, don't be so angry. Well fuck all that!!!

Their tears don't matter; they need to be given a good, skull-rattling shake or two.

Those days are coming to an end.

Cynical

Broke off an engagement over the weekend because apparently it's wrong to support BLM, to stand for my murdered people because "they're just terrorists who hate cops" and I had to stare at this woman like "who the fuck are you" because in what world is that 1) true, and 2) what did you do with my (I formerly believed) liberal fiancee because this is not you-- at least, I didn't think so before. Disappointed in people, and simultaneously disappointed in myself for getting suckered for a year and a half.