In the last few weeks alone, this world has really erupted with protests and new fears, realisations, hurt, pain, anger. The list of keywords goes on and on. However, I don’t want to list every single keyword in this chapter and not actually document everything I’ve been thinking and feeling. If anything, I’ve felt more educated and willing to change than the last 21 years of my livelihood. So, let’s share thoughts together.
What happened in Minnesota to George Floyd was horrible, shocking and upsetting. The news quickly spread and soon, all of my social media feeds were filled with images and videos of protests and violence and day by day, many other world countries got involved. My home city had a protest just this past week. I see debates all the time as well as people who generally just don’t want to know and haven’t spoken up about it.
As a predominant member of the online book community, it’s actually caused some personal friends of mine and other bloggers/authors to really release their true colours. Every day now for the last week, someone new gets called out for being a bully and a racist. I’ve had to call a few names out as well, after seeing some screenshot evidence of words they’ve posted, tried to delete and release some form of petty apology. Before the lockdown, I never called others out in public online for anything. Now, I don’t want to stop.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHtyf8IXqo
There’s a fire lighting under my butt and I won’t shut up until all the bullies get shut down. There’s also a new scandal in the form of JKR, also described as the author who must not be named. Her comments towards the trans community have had a huge uproar and to confess, my love for HP series has left me completely as of yesterday.
What I would like any readers who may stumble on this book to know, is that it is easy to go online and educate yourselves. It only takes a single minute to log onto your device, another minute to type into the search bar for books on how to not be racist or a bully. It takes less than 30 seconds to sign petitions or make a donation to a good cause. I’ve seen from trollish users that they don’t have the patience to do those things and that’s when I know, that they are deliberately being stupid and won’t be educated. 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9uVcOw0pW0
Writing this chapter is hard. I risk being called a bully myself for calling out other people for their behaviour. The thing is though, if no-one calls these people out, then the bullies get away with it and the same situation can occur time and time again. Right now, the book community is in a very dark place. I’ve definitely lost friends just for boosting books written by BAME writers (Black, Asian, Minority, Ethnic) and boosting links for signing petitions for George Floyd. After this experience, I’m going to be very careful now about who I choose to be friends with as well as the kind of books I review.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaDvRb8HTPH
Even now, my love of reading has been severely affected as I’ve spent more time researching authors and other reviews up to see if their writing or behaviour as a person is problematic. The last thing I want to happen is to boost a new favourite book and then, there’s a crap ton wrong with it and has mentally and physically harmed people! 478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm3vIwCpe0G
Gosh, I hate shaking with fear so much. Online, I’ve never fully shared my feelings towards this current situation before. Yet, I have to do it since I can’t deny that it happened and is happening now. I had a really close friend from India at school. Goodness knows what she and her family are thinking now. Reaching out to others is good, give them the listening ear and in particular, close friends struggling mentally right now. They will be so grateful that someone has taken the time to think about them today.
Also as a reader, I’ve made this month as the time to really change the books that I had sitting there on my shelves, but truly need all the support and attention right now. Some of my Twitter followers are also doing the same and together, we are all swapping our thoughts and getting excited about new diverse releases.
Wherever you are in the world, I strongly encourage you to sign and boost petitions and donate to the BLM movement. Remember readers, no lives matter until black lives matter.478Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSbPxSXX7sO
Finally, I would like to make this account a safe environment for anyone if they need some support at this time. My private messages are open and I’ll do my best to reply as promptly as I can!
ns 18.68.41.140da2
