The #blacklivesmatter movement has taken over my social media….AGAIN.

It scares me when it’s trending because I know that it means another death of a black body at the hands of a gun. Gun violence is rising with more and more mass shootings occurring and an increase in purchases of guns since Obama’s election. These are terrifying times and people are scared.

The deaths of Philando Castile and Alton Sterling followed each other so quickly, it is hard to keep up on social media. Articles are flooding the Internet, speaking about different aspects of each case. In all of this I have asked myself one thing: what am I going to do about it?

To my black brothers and sisters, we are here again, and it hurts. We cry, we mourn, we protest and it feels that we take these hits in waves. Hold and support each other, because in this time, we must be deep in thought. We must demand attention to this issue, our lives depend on it. Organize places to meet, to heal and educate. How can we strategically enact peaceful social change? What must we do to show that #blacklivesmatter? Who do we need to talk to so that our future children will not be in the same danger? Do we vote? Who do we talk to? I only ask these questions, because I need the answers too.

To the allies, you are valued. The color of your skin is valued more than ours, and you have acknowledged that. Please understand, the movement doesn’t need you, but it appreciates you. Continue to call out your friends on their privilege and their ignorance. Some who look like you do not see black lives as valuable, and therefore will not listen to the peaceful protests or engage in difficult conversation. Understand that every action the movement takes is scrutinized, and some are claiming #blacklivesmatter is a hate group. Stop this in it’s tracks. Tell people they are misinformed.

#blacklivesmatter is a peaceful movement, wanting to call attention to the systematic racism that is manifested through the hands of police officers. We understand that all are not bad, but we also understand that the bad ones are killing unarmed black bodies, and this is not right. The shooting in Dallas was a tragedy. Those police officers did not deserve to die, and the shooters are not part of the #blacklivesmatter movement. If someone says otherwise, they are grouping the two together and they are misinformed.

#blacklivesmatter has taken over my social media again, and I want to see progress. I know that change starts with my own actions. It takes much more than writing an article, it takes action. I will continue to seek peaceful resolutions and hope that those who feel hopeless find hope; for those who have hate to find peace.