Tupac Shakur said it best: "Keep Ya Head Up." But that seems to be the hardest thing to do these days. This is due to all the cop killings of unarmed and innocent men, women, and children who are black (or as I like to say, melanin skin tone). Black Lives Matter vs All Lives Matter is all over.

I am a young black adult. I have also experienced first-hand the violence of policemen in our community. Over the years, in my own eyes, the system has shown me that no matter if you are a doctor, lawyer, athlete, entertainer, blue-collar worker, or just living life because with my beautiful melanated skin I will be treated differently no matter what! As a child, since middle school, I have experienced racism in many forms. I was never taught or shown how to deal with racism. It was a subject that most people stayed away from or flat out just afraid and scared to talk about.

I believe that was our biggest mistake ever! Most of our parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were raised in the movements of the Black Panther Party, Martin Luther King jr., Malcolm X and so much more. They had great leaders and role models in their time and yes it helped, but definitely didn't solve the problem we now face in America. So not only were we deprived of a life lesson, but we also don't have any real leadership. Our influence these days revolve around drugs, gangs, and music. We all walk different paths in life and I have seen the bad and the good of things.

Confused, angry and enraged of a system built to destroy me, I fought back. Or so I thought. I joined a gang to protect my "Hood", my people, but things ain't go that way. I ended up doing a bid (a prison sentence) and boy let me tell you, it makes you numb to life and feelings in the real world. Some rehabilitation they have, but when you really think about it, it works just fine for them! The struggle is real and I don't mean that lightly and being that I was dealt with in a violent manner for so long it created a reaction! And well "Jesus" the only person I can say reacted to violence with love and kindness! Even Dr. King and Malcolm X had a breaking point, they just killed them before it could get there, I believe they were afraid to "Create" that kind of reaction.

One day not too long ago, maybe four or five years ago, I began reading and educating myself on what they didn't teach us in school. Marcus Garvey, Nat Turner, Huey Percy Newton, and Bobby Seale to name a few. These men stood up for people he ain't even know! That was the most unbelievable thing to me and the movement was more than a street thing or "My boys," it was everyday people of the black community that were tired of being mistreated. I became woke, or conscience as some may say.

I don't promote violence, but I do believe in protection and that's something that the police are not doing! I say "not all cops ,bad cops but they all cops" and cops support other cops, so it's like a catch twenty-two! Not only are the police trying to ignore the facts, but the people of America are saying "All Lives Matter" which I agree with 100 percent. At the same time not "All Lives" are in jeopardy of genocide! Black lives are being targeted simply because of our skin color. I believe that's the reason Black Lives Matter even exist. So to say All Lives Matter vs Black Lives Matter is ignorance to the real problem which is Black Lives Matter, because at this point and time black lives are being slaughtered!

They blame the youth and young adults for a reaction they created. We come in peace, but they call us rowdy. We come to protest, but they call us rioters. Well I know one thing, we have had enough and something's got to give, I believe I speak for all my oppressed youth and young adults in this struggle for justice! So to the youth and young adults of this oppression, I want you to know I understand and feel your pain and frustration. We have to come together as a people to fight this injustice. We need to stop the violence on each other first and foremost, and we must love our self and our people! Stand up and support any organizations that believe in fair treatment of black lives. Sandra Bland said it best: "It's time y'all, it's time."