It took me several tries to even word the start of this article, and I still am not sure how to introduce the events and emotions that have taken their course in the hearts of the people of this nation.

This is not the first time this country has woken up in rage to the treatment of Black people by the government. I wasn't alive during the Civil Rights movement of the 1960's, or the LA riots of the '90s. I was, however, alive to witness the unjust murders of Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin, George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and many more after. And I know that it feels different this time. Here's why.

No longer an American issue, but a global one.

The Black Lives Matter organization and movement has gained momentum in our society, having existed for seven years since its founding in 2013 by three women: Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi. Now, it has spread across the world. Protests are happening in Paris and London just to name a few cities. The U.S. has been anything but a role model these past three years, yet our people are inspiring others around the globe to challenge and refuse systemic violence towards people of color.

The pandemic has made us vigilant, aware, and a more connected world.

It may have to do with the fact that most of us are at home, without the chance to carry on with our 'busy' lives to pretend like the suffering of others has no impact on us. No, we have come too far to ignore others. Everyone is suffering, obviously Black people more than others. Other minority groups as well as whites are being forced to watch, forced to be informed about the severity of police brutality, of institutionalized racism. Forced to reckon with their own racism. The pandemic has given us all the time and space to be enraged, to be reflective, and to take anti-racist actions. We can take advantage of that and make real change.

People who thought they weren't racist are re-examining themselves.

My cousin in Canada, only three years older than myself, has told me about how upset he feels at the racist, colorist things he used to say without thinking twice. How he is looking into racism in medicine, and evaluating the kind of doctor he wants to be. So many of my friends from the brown and Desi community are calling out each other for using the 'n' word. My own Indian parents are no longer watching the protests on the news as observers, but are watching Trevor Noah's episodes on anti-racism when I come downstairs. I hear them talking about the racism in India, and our systemic oppression of people with dark skin tones. We are calling out racists, yes, but this movement is calling out the racist aspects that have been internalized within us in our upbringing. This is incredible change, and it shows that the work being done is way beyond superficial posts. None of the minority groups are exempt -- we are all perpetrators of anti-blackness as well.

Three weeks have passed since the initial protests, and we are still motivating each other to demand change and to look within ourselves. This time it feels different because the world is feeling our rage. This time feels different because we have become more aware of the suffering around us. This time feels different because it is 2020, the year of monumental change.