They Can't Take What They Never Had
It’s hard to shake the feeling that the world is closing in. That the spaces we’ve carved out—through resilience, blood, and generations of perseverance—are being erased, dismissed, or outright attacked. But here’s the thing: They can’t take what they never had. They can’t erase a culture they never built. And they can’t destroy a spirit that has outlived every attempt to break it.
The removal of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, mass ICE raids targeting immigrant communities, the normalization of racist rhetoric from public figures, and the emboldenment of so-called "Karens"—it all feels like a coordinated effort to remind us that we are unwelcome, unsafe, and unwanted. But let’s not get it twisted—we’ve been here before. And we’re still here.
Set It Off: When the Attack Feels Personal
There is an exhaustion that comes with constantly defending your right to exist. The elimination of DEI programs in workplaces and schools isn’t just about budget cuts—it’s about stripping away safe spaces, dismantling resources, and silencing conversations that were never meant for us to begin with.
And let’s be real—this takes a toll on mental health. Anxiety and depression creep in when you constantly feel under attack. It’s like living in Us, except instead of eerie sci-fi, it’s just another day in America. It’s like being in Sorry to Bother You, but instead of realizing your life is a scripted reality, you realize people have been gaslighting you about racism for years.
We’ve seen it in Get Out, where the tension builds not from horror movie monsters but from an all-too-familiar reality of being Black in spaces not meant for us. We’ve felt it in When They See Us, watching the toll of racial profiling play out in devastating ways. These aren’t just stories; they are reflections of lived experiences.
But let’s take a breath—because even in all of this, we are not powerless.
Do the Right Thing: For Those Who Say They’re With Us
"If you are neutral in times of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor." - Desmond Tutu
If you’re reading this and you’re not a person of color, I need you to sit in this discomfort for a moment. Really sit in it. Because silence in times like these is not neutral. It is complicity.
If you believe in equality, if you say you care about justice, but you watch these injustices unfold without speaking up, you are part of the problem.
Your silence does not protect us. Your discomfort does not outweigh our survival. And your privilege—whether or not you asked for it—comes with the responsibility to dismantle the systems that uphold it.
Juice: The Top 6 Power Moves to Keep Us Winning
We’ve seen time and time again that the systems in place weren’t built for us—but that’s never stopped us from finding ways to build our own. Whether through community, culture, or sheer will, we’ve always flipped the script. But let’s be real—watching everything from DEI to our voting rights come under attack can feel like we’re losing ground. The truth? We still got the juice. And when we move with intention, we turn the tide in our favor. So instead of waiting for permission, here’s how we keep the power, ranked from necessary to absolutely essential:
Stay Inspired – The world will try to make you forget who you are, so stay tapped into the culture that reminds you. Watch Black Panther, read The 1619 Project, listen to Nina Simone or Kendrick Lamar. Our stories—past and present—are a blueprint for resilience.
Control the Narrative – They’ve been telling our stories wrong for centuries. Whether it’s in the media, at work, or in everyday conversations, we have the power to push back, speak up, and represent ourselves authentically.
Economic Empowerment – Our dollars hold weight. Support Black-owned businesses, invest in financial literacy, and work toward generational wealth. Money talks—let’s make sure it’s speaking for us.
Know Your Rights – Ignorance isn’t bliss, it’s dangerous. Whether dealing with law enforcement, workplace discrimination, or housing inequities, knowledge is power. Stay informed and prepared.
Strengthen Community Bonds – The system wasn’t built for us, but we’ve always built for each other. Whether through local organizations, church groups, or family connections, our strength is in our unity.
Prioritize Mental Health – We carry so much—generational trauma, daily stress, microaggressions, and societal pressures. Prioritizing mental health isn’t a luxury; it’s survival. Therapy, safe spaces, self-care—do what you need to do to protect your peace.
Fight the Power: Finding Strength in Community
To those feeling like the world is closing in—know this: We have always been here. We have always found ways to thrive, even when the systems were never built for us.
We are not alone. We are not powerless. And no matter how hard they try to erase us, silence us, or push us out, we will remain. Together, we will continue to fight, to uplift each other, and to demand the respect and humanity we deserve.
Because we belong here. And if you don’t believe that, well… we gon’ be alright (shoutout to Kendrick).
Dr. Tim Hill, Ed.D, LPC A Counselor for the Culture