Enough is enough. We must do better.

I hope everyone is okay and well. I wanted to talk about everything that has been going on and I am not one to speak in videos, so I felt like speaking on here would be the best thing to do in order to talk about this issue.

For anyone who follows me on my social media platforms, you will know that I have been posting daily about everything that's been going on and I will continue to post about it and speak out. This is not something that is a big thing 'for now' or something that will pass. This is something that has been a huge issue for as long as I can remember. It is not good enough to just sign petitions for now, donate for now, talk about the issue of racism for now, post on your social media platforms about it for now or post a black square on your timeline for black out Tuesday and thats the only thing you have done in relation to the matter. This is much bigger than that. In order for there to be any sort of real change, we all must continue to speak out.

Racism is something that I have always felt so strongly about. I am a white woman who has had the privilege of never experiencing the wrongs and the injustice that black people have to face. I could always do day to day things without anyone ever batting an eyelid. Black people are questioned for the same day to day things that I could always do with no bother to me. This is something that has and will always affect me because it is wrong on so many levels. I never understood how some people out there can be so cruel, so stereotypical and so racist to others because of the colour of their skin.

All over the world, racism exists. Two weeks ago, Geroge Floyd was murdered in America. The officer put his knee on George's neck and despite George stating numerous times that he could not breathe, the officer stayed there and George died. This officer was charged with manslaughter. Manslaughter means that there was no intention to kill and that there was no malice relating to the death at hand. This officer intended to kill George and this intent was clear as day.

With the power of social media, people signing petitions in order for the charges to be increased and people protesting all over the world, the officer who killed George was charged with second degree murder. The three other officers who were present that day, who were not previously charged, were charged with aiding and abetting murder.

George Floyd was NOT a threat. Being black does NOT make someone a threat. George Floyd was murdered due to racism just like Sandra Bland, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Trayvon Martin and so many others. There are also so many other people in America who have been murdered due to racism where it has not been documented or recorded. It is disgusting and something must be done. All of these people whether they are known to the public or not DESERVE justice.

It is soooo important that we continue to speak out and fight against racism. Over the last two weeks with the power of petitions, social media and protesting the LA Mayor took 130m from police budget to invest in the black community, Breonna Taylor's case has been reopened, Belly Mujinga's case has been reopened, Ahmaud Arbery's killers are to stand trial on charges and so much more. By speaking out against racism and fighting for the rights that black people so truly deserve we are making a difference which is so amazing, but this must continue.

I have heard so many stories and seen so many videos and pictures through out my life that have truly upset me in relation to racism. The fact that people face the injustices they do due to racism breaks my heart. I watched a video recently of a four year old girl in America being asked by her parents what she should say if the police ever stopped her. The little girl put her hands in the air, stated her name, said that she is not carrying a weapon, to not shoot her and that she is not a threat. I genuinely felt like crying, it makes me sick that black children have to be taught from an early age what do to and say in case they are stopped by police so that they are not harmed or killed. This is not right and is so cruel and terrifying.

I live in Ireland and many people seem to think racism does not exist in this country. This statement couldn't be further from the truth.

Toyosi Shittabey was killed in 2010 when he was stabbed by two white men. One who died before the trial began and the other who was found NOT guilty, which till this day disgusts me.

Tega Agberhiere who was a victim of an acid attack last year in 2019 suffered serious injuries and burns to his face, back and legs. His eyesight was also damaged in the attack. The two teenagers who attacked Tega and two others did not face ANY criminal charges and only received a caution.

Both Toyosi and Tega were failed by the criminal justice system. Both crimes should have warranted criminal convictions.

Today I also saw a video of a woman, Sia Fayiah, who was driving yesterday 6th of June in country Laois with her husband and the Garda (police) stopped her claiming that the car she was driving was not hers. She had the cars logbook which proved that the car is hers but did not have the insurance certificate as it was being sent out to her. She had an email to prove she had insurance, which the Garda did not allow her to show them. The Garda should have given her 7 days to produce the documents at the Garda station but they failed to do so. They threw Sia onto the ground which knocked her unconscious and they STILL handcuffed her and arrested her. They also took her car. This is yet another example of a person being racially discriminated against in Ireland.

I can say with 110% certainty that there have been so many other incidents involving racism in Ireland that were not documented or recorded.

I have witnessed racism growing up where my friends, people I have been in a relationship with and also strangers too have been racially discriminated against. During all of these times I have witnessed racism, I have always spoke out and said something. It is horrible to witness so I can not even begin to imagine how it feels to actually be racially discriminated against.

There has been numerous protests in Ireland over the last two weeks. One which I attended. I have never experienced something so powerful in my life. Everyone joined together, no matter their race or ethnicity and walked to the US embassy with our posters, screaming and chanting and overall being there for one another. A lot of people complained or had something to say about this as we are currently still in the middle of a pandemic. Anyone who has this mindset fails to see the bigger picture in my opinion.

Racism has been around forever. People are getting murdered for nothing, racially abused, racially discriminated against, singled out, stereotyped, talked down on, treated as less than, belittled, seen as a threat for no reason and are not being given the same opportunities and rights as others for no other reason other than the fact they are black. And that, is the true virus.

If anyone reading this is wondering how they can help, I will link a list of petitions below where all information regarding the petitions is included in the petition summaries:

https://www.change.org/p/justice-for-tega-agberhiere-charge-the-perpetrators

https://www.change.org/p/an-garda-s%C3%ADoch%C3%A1na-justice-for-sia-fayiah

https://www.change.org/p/leo-varadkar-address-racism-in-ireland

https://www.change.org/p/people-power-end-direct-provision-in-ireland

https://www.change.org/p/secretary-of-state-for-education-make-black-british-history-compulsory-in-schools-71e42535-7049-472d-a095-cfebdf717db6

https://www.change.org/p/government-ban-the-use-of-racial-slurs-comments-for-all-countries-292b7a1c-bd3b-402a-9c67-40a81c2fc56f

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/

If you are looking to donate money, I will attach some links below which provide information on organisations you can donate to:

https://www.townandcountrymag.com/society/money-and-power/g32730417/george-floyd-blm-how-to-donate-help/

https://www.popsugar.co.uk/news/where-to-donate-for-racial-justice-47525554?utm_medium=redirect&utm_campaign=US:IE&utm_source=www.google.com

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-for-black-lives-matter.html

Some people dont know what to do during this time. Educate yourself on racism if you do not fully understand, sign petitions or make a donation but please do not do nothing.

I have seen many posts and articles online stating that 'All lives matter.' This statement really gets to me. All lives will matter when black lives matter and that is the issue at hand. We are focusing on the lives of black people because they are being treated like they are less than and are not being afforded the same rights as others which is disgusting and completely unfair. All lives CAN NOT matter until black lives matter.

I will forever take a stand, speak out and fight for the rights that black people deserve. As humans, they should never have to experience what they have to experience in regards to racism. No matter your race or ethnicity this is an issue we must ALL fight together.

Black men matter, black women matter, black children matter, black people who are gay matter, black trans lives matter. Black people are beautiful and they deserve to be treated as such.

Continue to speak out about racism and the unfair treatment of black people, continue to post on social media, continue to sign petitions, continue to go to protests if you can and continue to share your stories about being subject to racism. We must keep speaking out and taking a stand so that changes are made.

No Justice, No Peace.

To any black person who is reading this post, you are beautiful and strong. You matter and you deserve to live freely with no fear of being targeted or seen as a threat due to the colour of your skin. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I pray that serious changes are made. You are loved and cared for and everyone will fight together to make sure something is done.

I will never understand what it is like to feel how you feel, but I understand that how black people are treated is not right and I always have and always will stand with you, speak out with you, mourn with you and fight with you.

I am praying hard for everyone and for change. We must do better and we WILL do better. To anyone going to the protests, stay safe. To anyone who is struggling during this time, stay strong. To anyone feeling down, you are loved and cared for.

BLACK LIVES MATTER❤️

Much Love,

Shannon💛