Addressing
- nicoletteboillotat
- Jul 5, 2020
- 3 min read
I have felt very conflicted about how to proceed with this blog over the past two months, which is why I seem to have started and almost immediately halted this project. When the Black Lives Matter Movement rightfully started garnering more public support, I felt that I needed to take a step back and do some learning/resource-sharing/inner reflection/soul-searching. Having done so (and continuing to do so, of course, as there is no end to being an understanding and compassionate human being) I was left not knowing how to return to this blog, or to social media in general.
Talking about myself felt wrong. Posting pictures of my face felt wrong. Writing about beauty, clothing, acting, music, etc. felt wrong. And I truly feel that it was at that time. Without a doubt, there were more important things to be focusing on. But then, I couldn't help but feel conflicted. I questioned what I had to contribute to the internet. Was I really adding anything, or was I just saturating an already oversaturated market and, in turn, making myself obsolete? Again this time really wasn't about me, but I wasn't sure how to transition out of my silence here on the blog. I have remained active on other platforms, but I was at a loss with this one, as it is the most personal of my platforms so far. I am still not completely sure how to proceed and that is why I have put it off. In the end, I figured the best way to move forward was to simply address how I'm feeling plainly.
I strive to be cognisant and inclusive, but I cannot promise that I will ever be "doing enough." I don't think I'll ever feel as though I am doing enough. But that's because there will always be more to be done, more causes that need our attention, more loss that needs restitution, more voices that need to be heard. As I am writing this, I am telling myself that I should be linking resources, as I have seen and appreciated in so many other pieces of content on the internet lately. I will, but I am already being overly critical about what it is that I will link. I have to remind myself that there is no perfect way to do this. There is no clear path forward.
These past four months have been a bit overwhelming, which I am sure a number of people (of every race, creed, place of origin, etc.) can relate to. I think what I am trying to say is, I want to come back to this blog, and I'm not sure how to do that "correctly," but it is always better to just start and fumble your way through, than to stay stagnant and silent.
Here are some links to causes that have been at the forefront of my mind lately:
A comprehensive collection of many of the Black Lives Matter resources that have been circulating, created by a 17-year-old named Nico.
A petition to extend the additional $600 a week for those on Unemployment Insurance or receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. This one hits home for all of my fellow Arts Industry professionals who are officially out of work until next year.
Taken directly from their mission statement : "The Trevor Project is the leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer & questioning (LGBTQ) young people under 25." This link will bring you directly to their list of resources that covers everything from frequently asked questions about the LGBTQ+ community, to explanations of terminology, to promoting the use of social media in a less mentally detrimental way.
I was recently introduced to this organization and inspired by their assistance to New Jersey families who have been on the brink of or experienced homelessness. Having grown up in New Jersey myself, the location of this organization is meaningful, but I encourage all to look into similar organizations in their areas. If you cannot find any, question why that might be. Homelessness is not just an extreme mental health and poverty issue that is out of most of our realms; it affects more people in your everyday life and your close circles than you can imagine.
I also wanted to share the graphic that inspired me to come back to this blog because I think everyone needs to hear that they deserve to take up space:
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