Listen to Lara’s Story

Lara 

I came out to this vigil as an act of resistance against the racist fascist display that had taken place the day before in the form of a tikki torch march at what was then known as Lee Park. What I remember most about that night was the heaviness in the air and the energy coming from those who spoke while we stood in the dark with lit candles. One voice in particular stays with me. The voice of a woman who said the names of several Black women who were lost to the violence of white supremacy. India Cager, Nooni Norwood, Sage Smith. While a great deal of the community showed up that night in response to the overt display of fascism, we know that long before the so-called Summer of Hate, Charlottesville has been a bastion of violence, systemic racism and oppression. The woman's fiery words demanded that we recognize this struggle is not new. Our enemy doesn't have to wear polos and khakis or carry tiki torches. It may look like a business suit on the city council or school board. It is present in our neighborhoods through housing discrimination and gentrification. White supremacy is the water we're all swimming in. I hope that if this community has learned anything in these last five years, it is that we must follow the lead of those who have been living with the direct effects of systemic racism, fighting boldly, courageously, telling us what they need, knowing where we must go. I hope that we can throw civility to the wind and embrace the righteous anger expressed by those who have been doing the movement work long before we white folks decided to get on board. Sage Smith is still missing.

Music credit: Ebb & Flod / Seaweed / courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com