Samantha Shewan
- Jun 5, 2020
- 3 min read

My Promise to Do Better

Updated: Nov 9, 2020

Following the events surrounding racial injustice that have occurred over the past 2 weeks in this country, I have taken a huge step back to take inventory of my life. I have taken a deep look inward at my actions, my support efforts, my assumptions, my knowledge and I can honestly say I have learned a lot about myself. I learned what I was doing well, what I thought I was doing well, and all the ways I could do better.

I realized that while I can’t change the past and I can’t change the excuses or assumptions I've made; I can change how I move forward and that’s exactly what I’m doing right here, right now.

I’m the kinda girl who makes a promise and keeps it. Right now these are the promises I need all my readers and followers to know before I can proceed with posting anything further about myself. I want everyone who supports me to know that I support them too. I want you to know that even if I start slowly sharing bits of my life again that this movement is not just a trend for me. So I promise you this...

~ I promise to stay informed and educated, now and for the rest of my time on this earth.

~ I promise to not let my efforts stop, even if the hashtags fade out.

~ I promise to no longer live in an ignorant bubble of white privilege and excuses.

~ I promise to remain an ally – a full supporter and cheerleader for black lives and racial justice.

~ I promise to make my blog and social media a more diverse place to visit. This means featuring models with more skin tones in my product-featured posts. Following, shopping, and featuring more black owned clothing brands and beauty brands. Researching the brands I’m promoting to ensure they too have done their part to educate and advocate for social justice + black lives – and that also means stopping my support if the brand has not done their part. Supporting black influencers and brands on social media with genuine, authentic love on the content they are sharing. And most importantly, continuing to make my platform a positive place where everyone is invited and included.

~ Lastly, I promise that even when photos of my face start to reappear on my feed and blog, my efforts will not stop. My care and compassion for these social injustices will not disappear. My heart will not be healed from sadness. My mind will not stop thinking of ways I keep this fire burning.

PETITIONS TO SIGN:

Justice For George Floyd

Color of Change

Justice for Breonna Taylor

Justice for Ahmaud Arbery

ORGANIZATIONS TO DONATE :

George Floyd Memorial Fund | This memorial fund is established to cover funeral and burial expenses, mental and grief counseling, lodging and travel for all court proceedings, and to assist Floyd’s family in the days to come as they continue to seek justice for George. Black Visions Collective | BLVC aims to create the conditions for long term success and transformation for all Black People. They believe in a future where all Black people have autonomy and where safety is community-led.

Reclaim The Block | Reclaim the Block organizes Minneapolis community and city council members to move money from the police department into other areas of the city’s budget that truly promote community health and safety.

Black Lives Matter | BLM is a movement and ongoing fight to end state-sanctioned violence, liberate Black people, and end white supremacy forever.

Campaign Zero | Campaign Zero is a police reform campaign which proposes research-based policy solutions to end police brutality in America.

The Loveland Foundation | Loveland Therapy Fund provides financial assistance to Black women and girls nationally seeking professional mental health therapy and healing.