Hello {{ first name | friends}},
Today is the fifth anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, which was one of the catalysts for this newsletter. In an era of a backlash against anti-racism and DEI, I keep wondering what’s changed. Here’s an updated version of the poem I wrote on the first anniversary
IT’S BEEN FIVE YEARS
It’s been five years
Since George Floyd’s murder shook the world
Nine minutes and 29 seconds of videoed trauma
Making Black Lives Matter, but only for a moment
Five long years
It’s been five years
Of Karens and Amys and others
Putting Black lives in danger
Five long years
It’s been five years
Since the black squares covered social media
Promising much but delivering little
Then quietly returning to business as usual
Five long years
It’s been five years
Since diversity in companies hit the spotlight
Revealing just how white the world is
Do you suddenly believe the Black people who said it before?
Five long years
It’s been five years
Since more Black people spoke out
About how white supremacy had ruined their lives
Yet Black people were also silenced and suppressed
Five long years
It’s been five years
Of education and re-education
Relearning and unlearning
Unlocking the true keys to our Black History (which is history)
Five long years
It’s been five years
Since more of us joined the fray
Supporting those who’d been doing the work for decades
Learning the impossibility of educating the wilfully ignorant
Five long years
It’s been five years
Of testing the commitment of would-be allies
Of seeing how far they would unpack
The white supremacy within them
Five long years
It’s been five years
Of realizing how long the fight will be
Who will stay the course
And who will be suddenly silent
Five long years
It’s been five years
Of realizing that nations built on our Black backs
Won’t willingly give us our due
Not equity, not reparations, nothing
Five long years
Whew, chile! Five long, long years!
That second last stanza about commitment and silence really resonates today. What comes up for you?
Thanks for reading,
Sharon
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I am an anti-racism educator and activist, the author of “I’m Tired of Racism”, and co-host of The Introvert Sisters podcast.
© Sharon Hurley Hall, 2021, 2023, 2025. All Rights Reserved. This newsletter is published on beehiiv (affiliate link).