My little family and I were proud to stand with so many of our Mill Valley and Marin City neighbors for the powerful protest against racism and police brutality this past Tuesday.
I was floored by the sheer numbers of white young adults who came from all over Marin to march in solidarity with their neighbors, classmates and teammates who live in Marin City. Some of them seemed a little tentative at first-which makes sense as I imagine few of them planned to spend the last days of spring protesting against police violence and systemic racism. But as soon as they got within hearing distance of the sound system, everyone settled into a groove, chanting, “black lives matter,” and “no justice, no peace!”
Under the guidance of Paul Austin, Tam student, Mikyla Williams, organized an amazing protest that pulsed with hope and optimism. Together, the dynamic speakers and activated crowd generated a palpable feeling of determination. You could feel that every single participant would leave that protest committed to taking their first steps towards making real change right here in Marin County.
Even now I’m bewildered at how happy and satisfied I felt after marching. Why? Because sadly, these killings happen so frequently that I, like a lot of black folks, have unwittingly developed what could be called a “mourning routine.” After an unarmed Black man or woman is filmed while being killed by the police, at some point the viral video and news coverage becomes so intense that I eventually end up in tears. Ugly tears. I weep alone, only occasionally sharing and eventually processing my heartbreak and anguish with my husband and sisters. I shield this despair from my girls because although they are “of color” and will have to confront racism at some point, I want them to have a joyful, carefree childhood. So I pray, collect myself, run through my gratitude list and then slowly but surely get back to getting on with it.
But this beautiful march and protest was organized so quickly that I had no choice but to skip past the tears and go straight to work marching and protesting with hundreds of young people (a few of whom I know well, having hosted playdates and fed them countless popsicles, chicken nuggets, slices of cake and Cuties over the years) who seem truly ready to begin the hard work of dismantling racism and practicing real allyship right here in their own backyard.
All of us at Heart of the Village believe that BLACK LIVES MATTER and we want to thank Paul, Mikyla, the other community leaders and all of our neighbors in Marin City for bringing us together in one powerful act of solidarity, friendship and conviction.
Yours in soul, power and love,
Halicue Hanna