Say Their Names

 Geroge Floyd. Breonna Taylor. Ahmaud Arbery.

That's just three. There are so many more.

It's hard to put into words what frustration these brutal deaths cause. It's mostly hard because what is there to say that hasn't already been said?

Endurance Comics was founded on the principles that stories of diverse characters need to be told. That Black characters need to be in the forefront, not just a token character. If you boil that down, it's really this: Black Lives Matter. We can't speak for fictional characters who are Black without caring about the real people who no longer have the air in their lungs to speak for themselves.

We had planned on posting something different this month, but it wouldn't make any sense right now. We'd miss this moment to speak out. Our message to you is to not miss this moment either.

You can march. You can protest. You can donate. You can speak out. You can make a difference, no matter who you are or what color your skin is. We need everyone to do something if we don't want to continue this.

On a personal note, it has been really hard for me to talk to people about this, as a Black man. And I know for many people like me, the stress, anxiousness, and despair are real, already in COVID-19 but even more with this. My message is to get help when you need it. Take care of yourself, because you're the only you you've got. Just make sure you find something and know there's no shame in talking to a counselor.

Still on a personal note, I can't speak to anything that I haven't experienced. What I have experienced in my community is peaceful protests. I've gone to one, I found it really moving in every aspect. Areas where I would have never expected a protest like this to happen, let alone for people to be supportive, have been demonstrating what they think about Black Lives. People aren't missing this moment. Are you?

My challenge to you is this. Say their names. Say them in your marches and rallies; say them in your protests and vigils. Say them to your friends and loved ones. Say them to those who try to test you. So long as you have air to breathe and no change is made, speak for those who can't speak their own names.