Bing tracking

Look, I am tiredddddddd. 

A Reflection by Brandon Williams ’19

Brandon Williams is an Augsburg University alumni (Class of 2019) with a degree in Political Science in the Pre-Law track. He served as President of the Augsburg Day Student Government and was an active member of his school community.

Brandon interned with the Minnesota Department of Commerce and legally assisted a private criminal defense attorney, gaining valuable insight into local government and the criminal justice system. Brandon has also been asked to present at major university functions, testify before U.S. Representative and Senate committees, and speak at the State Capitol. 

Since September 2019, he has been in the position of Criminal Justice and Safe Communities Intern at the Minneapolis Foundation for the Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area.

Here is Brandon’s recent reflection shared with his permission:

Look, I am tiredddddddd. 

Not tired in the sense that I will get to turn away and process everything. Not tired in the sense that I can’t handle the constant feelings of hopelessness and frustration in this city, state and country. Not tired in the sense that I have to be a soldier in a battle for morals when it seems like the most “powerful” soldiers are fighting against it (I know it ain’t true but these are governmental entities). I’m not tired because I want this all to go away. I’m also not tired because I’m committed to work that forces our black people to support others, even when we haven’t had the chance to process our own grief and frustration.

I’m tired because I saw a news article and followed the story yesterday and hoped that – for any reason – that this wasn’t over no b*******. Yes, I did. And yet again, during a trial of similar circumstances, I find myself trying to have hope for a system that is literally killing us. I am tired of how common it is for my people to be treated like animals and then having it covered by news outlets and tv shows to demonstrate the realities we face and portray what is obvious. I know I’m not the only one that’s unsatisfied because most of these attempts are washed down and general.

My mother, along with my seven younger siblings, live close to this area and I hate that I have to go through a panic attack when things like this come up. The worst part is that I know there are people like me who have to be strong enough to not display that panic attack in an attempt to be an agent of peace, sanity and togetherness during these times. However, DO NOT mistake our modesty and grief for cowardness or an inability to show emotions because we show up and force change as well. I hope everyone finds some time for self care, whether that be through caring for others or taking time to process what is happening in your community.

BUT MANNNNN, I AM TIRED. but I continue to move forward for that cute little prince and to promote justice for that King and many others who won’t be here to influence the next generations about all that they have learned in life  

May God protect us all, and for those who don’t feel that is enough, may we protect each other

Brandon Williams ’19