Personal Narrative: My Identity As A World Citizen
The term “World Citizen” defines a person who feels a responsibility for the human race all together, irrespective of their identity as a citizen. Personally, I do feel for the human race regardless of their location, country, or culture. My feelings and admiration toward individuals are solely based on their actions, not their gender or race.
Living in New York City as a twenty-four year old I saw how culture and race impacts many citizens. For example, in 2014 the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter made headlines on Twitter after George Zimmerman’s exoneration for the shooting death of a black citizen, Travvon Martin. The movement campaigns against police brutality in the United States against African Americans. Although this shooting occurred in
the United States it was recognized allover the world.
While the movement hit the City of New York I felt an instinct to come to the streets and physically express my frustration over problems like police violence. I believe that the ability to protest that things are not all right, gives a feeling of a sense of urgency and emergency that can be very empowering. In eight short months the movement entered another stage of evolution, it hit classrooms, infiltrated universities, churches and other institutions as well. In that time, thousands of people transcended geography and political borders to participate in nearly 800 protests, marches, sit-downs, and other acts of resistance.
Learning the names and stories of the victims of police brutality has truly been an eye opener. Although I have never personally been victimized I feel responsibility as a human being to advocate for those who cannot speak. Chants like “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and “I cant breathe” and names like Eric Garner, Michael brown, and Tamir Rice (to name a few) will be etched in my DNA for a lifetime.
I am only one person, but I am one of the thousands of people who joined the conversation against the devaluation of black lives. With all of this in mind, this movement started with one person and three words, Black Lives Matter and grew into a universal movement. I am one of the thousands of world citizens who contributed to turn tragedy into unity.
Living in New York City as a twenty-four year old I saw how culture and race impacts many citizens. For example, in 2014 the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter made headlines on Twitter after George Zimmerman’s exoneration for the shooting death of a black citizen, Travvon Martin. The movement campaigns against police brutality in the United States against African Americans. Although this shooting occurred in
the United States it was recognized allover the world.
While the movement hit the City of New York I felt an instinct to come to the streets and physically express my frustration over problems like police violence. I believe that the ability to protest that things are not all right, gives a feeling of a sense of urgency and emergency that can be very empowering. In eight short months the movement entered another stage of evolution, it hit classrooms, infiltrated universities, churches and other institutions as well. In that time, thousands of people transcended geography and political borders to participate in nearly 800 protests, marches, sit-downs, and other acts of resistance.
Learning the names and stories of the victims of police brutality has truly been an eye opener. Although I have never personally been victimized I feel responsibility as a human being to advocate for those who cannot speak. Chants like “Hands up, don’t shoot,” and “I cant breathe” and names like Eric Garner, Michael brown, and Tamir Rice (to name a few) will be etched in my DNA for a lifetime.
I am only one person, but I am one of the thousands of people who joined the conversation against the devaluation of black lives. With all of this in mind, this movement started with one person and three words, Black Lives Matter and grew into a universal movement. I am one of the thousands of world citizens who contributed to turn tragedy into unity.