Social Activism

In 2020 the Black Lives Matter movement surged in response to the unjust murder of George Floyd. While I’ve never personally encountered prejudice related to the color of my skin, I have family, friends and others who are part of my support system who have encountered this harsh reality. As such, I couldn’t just be a bystander. Action was necessary. One evening, I informed my dad about a protest scheduled for the following day in our downtown area. He readily agreed to accompany me. I reached out to my biracial cousin and asked her if she wanted to join us, knowing that this issue deeply affected her. The next morning, my cousin, my dad, and I joined the protest through the streets of Parramore in downtown Orlando. This was my second march and I participated in two more marches afterwards. Much of the city came together in protest, rallying for effective and meaningful change. This collective endeavor was beyond transformative, as a diverse Central Florida community converged together to make a difference. 

I’m a firm believer that everyone is entitled to express themselves how they choose and live out the life they were born to live. During Central Florida’s Pride Parade I volunteered in order to support the community. I passed out fans and water to those who were a part of the parade as the day was scorching hot. Later on that day I joined the parade, intermittently walking the parade and joining on a float. So much fun. It was a day filled with love, laughter and light.

Though women’s equality in America has come a long way, it is far less than perfect. Women are still marginalized and I have witnessed acts of discrimination and have been discriminated against, all based on being female. This issue is a personal one as it affects me and the one’s I love. As I attended this march I was so inspired by the rally of like-minded women and supportive men, all with the same goal: for all girls and women to be treated with equality.

The world-renowned Ukranian Ballet made its only American stop in Central Florida to perform at the “Dr Phillips Performing Arts Center”. Before their performance, scheduled for the following evening.  My family and I hosted them, along with many members of our community,  at our home. We raised funds for the people of Ukraine as much of their country, their families, and homes had been devastated by the Ukrainian-Russian War. The stories were so poignant and tragic that were shared by our guests. What touched me the most that evening was when I noticed a young six year old girl who was the daughter of two of the dancers. She was the only child that traveled with the troupe and she looked sad and hadn’t smiled the entire night. I saw her expression of loneliness and empathized with her. I quickly ran upstairs and found a Minnie Mouse doll I had kept since I was a child. I gently approached her and handed her Minnie Mouse which I had been hiding behind my back. Her expression changed immediately as she beamed a smile that could light up a room. It was like I was looking at a whole new child. She never stopped smiling the entire night, tightly hugging Minnie throughout. When she departed her parents sent us a picture of her at the airport, still holding Minnie and smiling. This moment deeply touched me as it was a reminder that if there is an opportunity to do something kind for another, whether the act is small or large, one should do it as the positive difference we can make in the life of another is among the greatest joys we can have in life.