Given the situation in the US right now, we asked a few empowered women about their thoughts and feelings on the issue. One of them is social media influencer Mikaela Michelle, who has a huge fan following on Instagram, more than 22,000!
(www.instagram.com/mikaelaamichelle)

Here is what she shared with us:

“Social media is not only the biggest platform I have, the audience I have here is also highly influential. I feel like I have a responsibility to address the horrible events of last week with the unfair, disgusting death of George Floyd. I’m sorry if it took me a while to talk about it here, I have so many thoughts I didn’t know where to start.

I am so sad to be living in a world where racism is still SO PRESENT. You know it is, even if you’re not subject to it. As influencers, it is our duty to speak up about these issues, fight for what is right and fight against racism online AND offline.

If you think your voice doesn’t matter, you are wrong. You’re an influencer on social media and you’re an influencer within your close circle of family and friends. Your words have an impact, whether you believe it or not.

We have to educate ourselves and others and fight together against racism and the unfair treatment of people of color around the world. PLEASE USE YOUR PLATFORMS to spread knowledge and awareness.

Being non-racist is not enough. We all need to be activists. Don’t be scared to take a stand on social media and fight for what is right. You might get unfollowed by some but guess what, whoever remains will be that much more loyal and engaged. That is who you want in your audience. Don’t be afraid to lose a brand deal either! If you can’t stand behind a brand just as much as their product, the collaboration is not worth doing! That should never keep you from speaking up against racism.

If you are a person of color, I am with you. I am so sorry for the missed opportunities you may have had, sorry if you have ever felt like you needed to change who you are or how you act to please a broken society and system, sorry if anyone has treated you poorly just for being who you are, sorry if you’ve been through traumatic experiences just because of the color of your skin. My heart breaks for you. I promise I will do better to fight this fight with you.

If you’re a white person, please acknowledge your privilege and stop challenging the way people of color feel when they speak about their experiences, just listen. Educate yourself and PLEASE, educate others around you that you know engage in racism. It’s uncomfortable to call out people in person, but it’s necessary at this point and I feel like having these conversations in person is the best way to change someone’s way of thinking. Please don’t be afraid to speak on your platforms. I know you might be scared of phrasing your thoughts in a way that will be perceived wrong but at some point, we can’t stay silent.

Here are some resources :

https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ “ – Mikaela

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