It was 11:30 p.m. when I felt the weight of the world on my chest. I felt the fear of uncertainty. I felt my confidence as a strong young woman escape my hands.
It was 11:45 p.m. when I couldn't stop scrolling through Twitter reading the Mizzou hashtag. I couldn't grasp what was really happening. I could no longer feel anything but the disgusting hatred being demonstrated nine hours and 21 minutes, 548 miles away.
It was 12:00 a.m. when I was walking to a friend's house. Leaving my concern behind a locked screen in my back pocket. Convincing myself that if I didn't read the tweets, they weren't really there.
It was 12:10 a.m. when I walked up Smith Street. My breathing was labored, not because of the steep hill with unevenly laid bricks, but because I started thinking again. Viscous words from Yik Yak posts, here in Athens—that I had seen myself—intruded my thoughts. The Yik Yak question was "Do students at OU believe racism is still an issue?"
Some of the comments contain graphic language.
It was 11:45 p.m. when I couldn't stop scrolling through Twitter reading the Mizzou hashtag. I couldn't grasp what was really happening. I could no longer feel anything but the disgusting hatred being demonstrated nine hours and 21 minutes, 548 miles away.
It was 12:00 a.m. when I was walking to a friend's house. Leaving my concern behind a locked screen in my back pocket. Convincing myself that if I didn't read the tweets, they weren't really there.
It was 12:10 a.m. when I walked up Smith Street. My breathing was labored, not because of the steep hill with unevenly laid bricks, but because I started thinking again. Viscous words from Yik Yak posts, here in Athens—that I had seen myself—intruded my thoughts. The Yik Yak question was "Do students at OU believe racism is still an issue?"
Some of the comments contain graphic language.
It was 12:22 when I had to step outside of the dimly lit basement with loud music screaming lyrics about prosperity, to wipe tears from my face so no one would see. Everyone seemed unbothered, enjoying each other's company and savoring the feeling of not having classes in the morning. I wish I could have been dancing along side them without anything else on my mind.
It was 12:35 a.m. when I noticed the bright clusters of stars peaking through the trees. It was time to act.
What could I do? I had to do something.
We have to do something.
It is 4:39 a.m. and I am asking you to do something.
Join Ohio University's chapter of NAACP at Scripps Amphitheater Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to join in solidarity and show our support for Mizzou's threatened students.
It was 12:35 a.m. when I noticed the bright clusters of stars peaking through the trees. It was time to act.
What could I do? I had to do something.
We have to do something.
It is 4:39 a.m. and I am asking you to do something.
Join Ohio University's chapter of NAACP at Scripps Amphitheater Wednesday, November 11, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. to join in solidarity and show our support for Mizzou's threatened students.