Black Voices Matter: DoSomething Activists Speak On Our Current Moment

The recent wave of worldwide protests sparked by the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, amidst others, highlight the injustices, fear, and violence that Black Americans face -- and have faced for centuries -- on a daily basis because of white supremacy.

Young people are leading the fight against racism and white supremacy. They’re on the frontlines of protests. They’re mobilizing online in innovative ways. And it was a 17-year-old girl (trigger warning: graphic imagery) who bravely bore witness to Floyd’s last moments, capturing the footage that would ignite a movement.

Nearly 70% of DoSomething members say that they are very likely to have a conversation with friends and family about racism in light of current events, so we’ve created guides for white members and non-Black members of color to start conversations about anti-racism with the people they care about and sign pledges to drive the movement forward. Our Black members, meanwhile, are using our guide to identify their role and practice self-care in the fight for equality. Here’s what 12 DoSomething members have to say about our current moment.

1) Melina

“As a Black woman with a Black mother, father, brother, plethora of uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends [who] experience and deal with racial injustice on a day to day basis, to fear for your life or the life of people of color when encountered by an officer is a feeling no one should ever have to feel. For centuries, even after the Civil War and civil rights movement, after years of peacefully protesting, we are still begging for our lives and still to this very day fighting for our rights. Enough is enough. We are tired. Some of us are so fed up we have resulted in violence. But I still want to be that peaceful protester.



This campaign is important to me because it gives me a voice without resulting to violence. Though I still go out and walk among those that protest, it is giving me the chance to also explain my hurt in what is going on as of today. So therefore, until justice is served and racial discrimination is extinct, I will continue to have conversations, sign petions, donate to organizations and the victims.”

2) Taylynn, 15

“Now that communities of all colors, ages, races, and ethnicities are standing together, the Black Lives Matter protests are becoming bigger because everyone is realizing that now is the time for us to stand for unity, liberty and justice for all.”

3) Lela, 17

”I wish to educate those on the importance and severe reality of racial injustice. As a biracial woman of color, I often hear both sides of the argument, and it has made me realize that now more than ever, these conversations are of utmost importance.”

4) Jada, 18

“As a young African American, I’ve always dealt with racism, prejudice against me, as well as stereotypes. This disease of a seed has been planted into our country since the very beginning, and it hasn’t stopped. Black people have been protesting and creating movements all our lives and things STILL HAVE NOT CHANGED. We are the generation to carry on fighting for what is right, to end police brutality so that our future generations won’t have to be ripped apart. The current events happening today is simply modern day slavery. I have been fighting for Black rights actively ever since my freshman year of high school. Now a senior, I can proudly say I’ve been a part of protests to fight for Black lives because BLACK LIVES DO MATTER.”

5) Kwaku, 15

“I am deeply saddened by the events that have occurred. As a Black teen in America, I have witnessed some racial injustices, ranging from little things such as actions in schools to big things such as these events. I just desire unity and love (agape) in America. All we see is divisions in race, politics, society, etc, but I want us to look at each other's perspectives. However, I also desire peaceful protests in order to make our voices heard with people of all ethnicities coming together.”

6) Afnan, 19

“Pain. Confusion. Anger. A nation haunted by our predecessors...History is taught yet its bitter lessons fail to remain. We want change. Alas, we will acquire it -- regardless of how long the pursuit lasts. No longer will we be subordinate. No violence, criminalization, hatred. No more innocent deaths and injustice because We. Can't. Breathe. Arrows but no olive branch. America, we demand ‘liberty and justice for all.’”

7) Ryan, 16

“Honestly as a Black male, I fear going outside. Police brutality and racial profiling have literally been around for the longest time and the only reason it has come to light in the last few years is because it's being recorded and documented. It irks my soul that these policemen can treat these innocent Black people, and only risk termination or put on desk duty instead of prosecution. It's honestly getting kind of annoying because they feel as if they can get away with whatever they want.”

8) Janely, 17

“There is no justice for those people who were innocent people. They had families, friends, and a whole community that loved them the most. And for that love to be taken away because of racist people believing that they are the true heroes of the day. The people who are forced to believe that we are different because we have a darker skin complexion than them. I want this march to continue for those people who are fighting not only for these people who died but to strive for a better future.”

9) Angelida, 17

“I'm tired of the fake outrage, the outrage that only preaches Black Lives Matter when the hashtag goes viral... I want to see CONSISTENCY, from both my fellow Black people and non-Black allies. I want to see change. I want to see action. I don't want the names Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor or George Floyd to retreat into silence in a month or two. This is a fight that never ends; SILENCE IS A PRIVILEGE!”

10) Ryan, 18

“I want every cop to go through training on racial sensitivity and how to de-escalate a situation rather than make it worse. Furthermore cops should be investigated and punished for every count of abuse and brutality rather than have it be covered up in the case of George Floyd’s murderer. Also schools should educate children on racial injustices today, not make it seem like something from the past. If everyone learns about the problems in our country we can fix them before the riots happen.”

11) Elena, 18

“I'm horrified at all of these murders and how peaceful protestors are being treated right now. I'm terrified that the government is a system that has allowed these things to happen without justice. There needs to be reform within the police force, new regulations, policies, and laws. There needs to be reform within the government to stop these racial injustices. There needs to be real change and it needs to be supported and voiced by everyone.”

12) Jashara, 18

“What I want to see change is justice for every Black man and woman. I am tired and I am frustrated that change has yet to come. We have been fighting for change, peace, and justice for years now. Police brutality needs to stop, and it needs to end. We as the American people need to come together and show love to one another because we are one nation and we shouldn't be divided by the color of our skin.”