Kenzie Green: “I’m a regular participant in the Black Lives Matter and LPD accountability protests in
Lexington. In my hometown, Mount Sterling, KY, I’m an active mentor for ‘this land is our land youth leadership group’ as well as the Dubois Community Center, which is an organization that reaches out to minorities, from children to elders.”
Narrative from original post:
Kenzie: “Black lives Matter is more than just a phrase. At the very least, it is a phrase that my life depends on. I have not always been in a position where I completely understood what ‘Black Lives Matter’ truly meant. After the tragic deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, It really hit home for me. I truly saw the people rising. I knew that I could no longer sit back comfortably and quietly. It was time for me to raise my voice and fight.
I fight to show people that there is always room for growth. There’s such a thing as growing up, becoming educated, and doing better. I’ve learned that it is my duty to fight, not only for my own freedom, but for that of others. I grew up in a small, very conservative town. Racism was not, by any means, a foreign concept to me. I was always used to being the minority. The difference between then and now—I’ve finally learned that being a part of the minority group does not mean you have to sit back quietly and watch injustices happen around you. I’ve been made to speak up and use my voice. And trust me, people are hearing you whether they want to admit it or not.
The hardest pill I’ve had to swallow is that everyone is not on your team. While I was already aware of this, it really hits home when you have people who you thought would always be on your team, turn against you—family, close friends, mentors etc… even in the midst of losing people I thought I could count on, I have a whole community rallying around me and fighting with me and for me.
More than anything, this movement has taught me the importance of community and allyship. I’ve learned that everything has a deeper meaning. I’ve learned that Media can be both friend and enemy. I fight so, hopefully, my children and grandchildren will never have to be out in the streets fighting for the same things that I have.
I will continue to fight until there is truly Liberty and Justice for All. Power to the People!”