To a New Dawn: Letters of Solidarity Anthology

CHINENYE OKOLO, 16 Dear Generation Z, I am so proud of you! Look at how much we have accomplished this year. We have caused an uproar all around the world and had people screaming: “BLACK LIVES MATTER!” We all did our part, whether it was by going to the protests, donating money, signing petitions or spreading awareness. Everything that has changed in terms of the mistreatment of black people is because of us and our efforts. However, so many more black deaths still haven’t achieved justice: Breonna Taylor, Taylor Rice, Eric Garner and many more. Did you know that Taylor Rice was only twelve years old when he was killed? Did a young boy deserve to die for playing with a toy gun? NO. He had many more years ahead of him, and instead, his life was taken away by the people that are meant to protect us. The Black Lives Matter Movement has not been forgotten; it wasn’t merely a trend. People are still angry, and we have every right to be.

All these killings happened because of racism. All the people mentioned above were black. However, nobody talks about the troubles of the Asian community. Everyone has normalised subtle racism towards the Asian community; they gave up fighting. That is not okay! It’s not okay to refer to Asians as ‘bombers’ or to pull your eyes in a funny angle 61