Some may think this new version of Tonya showing up is all about activism and radical action. But the truth is, I am privileged to know a time in my life, where we were working towards building a more perfect Union. Over the past few 3 or 4 years, we have been watching some extreme behaviors come alive and really feel comfortable to play live in our streets. And it truly is shocking no matter how you look at it. It’s not that we didn’t have a clue it existed, because we absolutely did. I think what shocks me most is that people felt really ok making their version of their nightmares reality for everyone and now, we all have to deal with it.
We all were aware of the historical past and challenges, but we also, individually made choices to create versions that dealt with it, insulated our egos or protected our reputations and places in society. Now don’t get my wrong, me categorizing it like this, is not judgement, it’s just my way of recognizing the vast responses to our common problem. And I also realize that my life experiences while maybe not unique, have educated and empowered me to find my footing and voice to speak… now.

Every one of us must find a way to face our own demons or insecurities around the systemic injustice that is morphing into different and stronger strains of “isms”.

We have already had the symbolism representing the ugliest part of who we were as a country. It’s still wrapped up in devotion to statues and the waving of a flag of the “losing” side. Now we must kneel together with humility and save the integrity of who we are. But instead of us drawing together, we are unfortunately seeing a strong re-emergence of that same ugly sentimentality but this time… it’s far more lethal. Why? because we see the active choice to embrace it without a need of fearing the unknown. Now we know the history and the progress. We know the strength of a United America… and yet there is this faction of society that insulates themselves in a warped nostalgia of our countries most dysfunctional time. We are not the worst of our past, we are best of the collective journey from it. If we work to build based on our unique and wonderful differences, Together we can be the best of America. And that’s not activism, that’s Life.