HAWAII HIGH SCHOOL JOURNALISM AWARDS 2021 – FIRST FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL ILLUSTRATION

We as a community should take a stand for black lives. Recently there have been many protests that supported Black Lives Matter.  Numerous people had gathered together to get the message that black lives matter across. Some protests had riots; others kept it peaceful and made it clear that more violence doesn’t help the situation. Violence only worsens the situation and doesn’t help get the BLM message across.

 In June 2020, Hawaii had a peaceful protest that included hundreds or more people. This peaceful protest was inspirational. As one community coming together peacefully, Hawaii has shown that in taking a stand for a positive attitude. Even as one person, you could take a stand by just posting something simple like a Black Lives Matter picture with an inspiring quote. A quote I like is by Ida B. Wells-Barnett: “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”

Say their names! Trayvon Martin shot and killed by George Michael Zimmerman. For what? Because he looked suspicious walking home from a store to a gated community where his dad lived? Imagine walking home and, because of your skin color, you automatically become a target. This is only one of the countless lives we have lost to injustice.

This is not right. We need to educate others about this situation for them to know black lives do matter. This does not say that other lives don’t matter, but it does say that black lives matter too and they deserve justice. As a community, we should take a stand, keep it peaceful and positive, and let others know what is the message we are sending. And that message is Black Lives Matter.

So take a stand. Make a change by changing how society is by making sure that society knows that justice needs to prevail and that black lives are no different than others. So, as Hawaii’s community, we should take a stand and educate others about what is right.