Just Trying To Do The Right Thing
Yesterday in Seattle there was a unity walk from Jimi Hendrix Park to Garfield High School, in honor of Amarr Murphy-Paine, a young teen killed last week on the grounds of my alma mater. As I read through the news coverage and looked through the photos from the walk, I thought, “Man, how could GirlTREK have helped?”
Then I looked closer at the pictures and saw the blue shirt.
Saw that one of our organizers, Michelle Reese, was walking in the crowd and doing what she does best, showing up for the community.
I texted to thank her for her service and for wearing her shirt while walking and she responded, “I had to put on what helped me heal and held me down through my grief, through racism, and through joy - and taught me I am a revolutionary! Love you too, I am just trying to do the right thing when no one is looking.”
And it’s not just Michelle doing the right thing when no one is looking.
It’s all of you.
Shout and deep thank you to the women across the country organizing this weekend for Juneteenth parades. We see you. Thank you!
If you will be on the move this weekend, kicking it at the barbecues, parades and cookouts, enjoy all of the fun and BUT REMEMBER our major activation is happening on Wednesday, June 19th, at sunrise.
Imagine the power. Picture us showing up in places like Marcus Garvey Park in Harlem, where Garvey inspired a generation of Black leaders. Envision the energy at Leimert Park in the heart of south central Los Angeles. See us at Audubon Park in New Orleans, or at Dequindre Cut in Detroit, a reclaimed space now filled with Black joy and laughter.
It all goes down on Wednesday.
How to Participate in our Wednesday, June 19th activation:
1. Find Your Spot: Look up the closest Black park or monument in your area. This is about building community in our own neighborhoods. Commit to going to the closest one, not the one you prefer.
2. Wear Your Superhero Blue: Seeing each other in our blue will be a powerful visual of our solidarity.
3. Take a Sunrise Walk and Victory Lap: On Wednesday, June 19th, at sunrise, gather at your chosen location and walk together. This is our first act of public activism in this new chapter.
Need more convincing?
Join us on the line tomorrow at 10AM, ET. Take just one walk with us. Give us just 30 - minutes of your life. Miracles, manifestations and more joy and healing that you could ever imagine are waiting for you.
Just dial: (646) 876-9923/code: 734464325# (646-876-9923,,734464325#)
This invitation is for the Black women who are ready to get free and tired of asking for permission.
See you on the pavement!
Vanessa (Morgan & the GirlTREK Team)