MADE Magazine Issue 6 - English January / February 2016 | Page 20

Ignite! The Revolution MADE BY: CHELSEY LITTLE Within the past year, there have been hundreds of Black lives taken unreasonably who were either unarmed or simply posed a threat due to their skin color. Because of this, speaking on Black lives has become one controversial matter. As many can agree, too much time passes by when it comes to racial injustice among the Black community. It is extremely hard to identify or even pinpoint any improvements or adjustments that have been made within our society when it comes to establishing why Black lives do matter. Existing as the most prominent and influential generation of today, it is imperative that millennials take action. Now is the time to act towards re-establishing the mindset of our society by sparking conversation on how important this issue is. Poet Gil-Scott Heron once said that “The Revolution Will Not Be Televised”. This statement he spoke of back in 1970 becomes clearer into reality as the days continue in 2016. From Tamir Rice, LaQuan McDonald, Tyshawn Lee, Sandra Bland, to Rekia Boyd and Eric Garner, the lives of individuals who were taken by violent crime goes on. By now everyone across the world can identify the underlying meaning of the trending hashtag #BlackLivesMatter. We, as a nation, are aware that the injustices upon the Black community gradually worsens as we continue through the 21st century. From mass shootings to the infamous police enforcement who abuse their power of authority, Black lives are lost everyday to senseless acts of violence. With the influence of the digital world that we live in, our society has adapted to quickly accepting only what MADE-MAGAZINE.COM 20