NOW, is the Time for Change

We are all struck by the pain of these turbulent times, and the need to bring about CHANGE. Each in our own way, to correct decades-long injustices against our brothers and sisters. Brooklyn based jewelry designer Bonnie Jennifer who’s beautiful jewelry we sell on StyleCoop.com shares her thoughts.

My father asked me “Why are you so emotionally invested in this?” Because I love humans more than my jewelry and I’m so sick to my stomach that we have to live in a time where POC still aren’t treated equally. I mean, it’s the year 2020 and we should be making some progress right!? While I was never ignorant of black history, I didn’t realize the magnitude of how awful this all is. Truth be told, I am a white privileged woman and I lived in a bubble. Black lives do matter and I am forced to confront and examine this no matter how uncomfortable I may feel.

As I saw & heard the jarring sounds of helicopters, sirens & chaos unfold in Brooklyn, I reached out to some of the black women in my life, one of which is a friend, the other a valued employee. I was mortified when they told me that they live in fear every day, but this wasn’t the first time I heard this. In fact, my life coach personally shared this with me years ago. His message was loud and clear. I did feel bad at the time but I didn’t know what to do with his thoughts. It just felt heavy and I couldn’t relate to what he said. I mean how can I possibly understand!? It stuck with me for a few hours and unconsciously brushed it off.

But that is the thing about privilege. I have the ability to forget and move on past these issues, but there are so many who simply can’t. I looked at him as a strong, stoic, intelligent man that was able to handle anything. I was surely wrong! As someone with a background in social work, I should’ve known better. I feel like I had let him and other POC down.

So when my father posed that question, I had to sit back and reflect on some of the lessons he taught me. My father taught me, through example, to never judge others and to do the right thing. So here I am trying to do better and listen with purpose.

I want to be clear that what we are seeing are not isolated events. When you look at the larger picture, you can see the systems in place that repress people of color and other marginalized groups. It all comes back to power and control. We cannot progress until that power is returned to the hands of the people, equally. We were not born to hate, we were taught to do so. We need to tune into our inner child and unlearn these prejudices, and to return to that clean slate of love.

During these times, selling my jewels just seems so unimportant so I would like to use this time to take a brief pause to help amplify the voices of the black community. I will be donating a portion of my profits for the month of June to the NAACP. I am also happy to hear that MN is taking the first positive steps towards justice for George Floyd.

I am doing my part to stand with marginalized peoples, and I encourage you all to do the same.

-Bonnie Jennifer