Kenya POV-
The little over an hour ride from Oxford to London was awkward to say the least.
We're almost at the protest but here's a snippet of what happened on the way there.
"So Bil...I mean Scott, what made you want to go the Black Lives Matters protest?" Brandon asked to break the awkward silence of us driving on the road, with no sounds but the car.
"That's a rather silly question. Why would I not?" He looked over at Brandon with a rather agitated look, then back at the road.
"Trust me, it's a lot of people that look like you that aren't breaking their necks to go to a protest about black people."
"Not all of them have black mothers." He said rather snappy.
"Don't mean to pry. But what happened to your real mother?" Brandon asked.
"Clarissa is my real mother as far as I'm concerned. Any mother who abandons her child, isn't worthy of my life or memory."
My heart sank. I knew that feeling all too well. Especially with my father. I wanted to say something, but the last thing I needed was to create more tension with O. I remained silent, just staring out the window.
O was scrolling through his phone.
"Well that's her lost Billy and don't let nobody tell you different." Brandon said.
"Whose Billy?" Scott looked confused.
"My bad. Forgive me. I meant Scott. You remind of this guy I know name Billy."
"Ah-ha." He shook his head he understood.
"Are you into Science like your mom?"
"Oh no. I haven't the smarts for it. I'm a Journalist."
"Oh cool. So do you write for a publication or...?"
"I mostly freelance. Writing various places."
"Sorry if I'm asking too many questions. At any moment, feel free to tell me to shut up."
"It's fine. I don't get asked too many questions about myself, I usually do the asking so feel free to ask anything you want."
"What do you mainly write about?"
"Topics of race and gender. Currently I'm working on a piece of the invisibility of black women in social movements. I find it rather fascinating." I felt him looking through the mirror at me, but I refused to stare back.
"What do you mean invisibility of black women?"
"I know you see this in America more than I, but don't you think it's a little problematic that when a black man like Alton Sterling or Philando Castile die brutal deaths, an army of black women come out in support of them, but very rarely do people support black women in their causes in the same way."
"I hadn't thought about that." Brandon said.
"It's like the new thing I see on social media, this outcry of people saying show love to black men. "Hug a black man." "I am afraid of having a son." But would men in general show the same affection toward black women in times of crisis?"
O rolled his eyes irritated at Scott talking as though he was black.
"It depends on the man." I interjected. "Odell has been there for me, in ways unimaginable."
"I'm not talking about a single man Kenya or in a relationship capacity. I'm talking about historically. Historically, Social movements particularly with black people have consisted of more women than men, but black men have always been at the forefront. Relegating women to support or background roles."
"First of all you not black. So stop speaking on our community like you are. Your data and statistics can't tell you shit. We live this." Odell said irritated.
"You are very right. Not only am I white, I am not from America. Two odds against me, but I think we can all agree black men don't support black women the way black women support them. Am I right Miss Kenya? Do not American black men have a fascination with those that possess European standards of beauty? One of your athletes just had an "all white women yacht party?" He laughed. "Is that reality? And you being an American football player, I'm sure you've had your share."
"Muthafucka you don't know me. Don't speak on me." O snapped.
"O calm down." I told him.
"Your ass is not black. I don't care how many fucking black people you been around." O continued.
"No. I am quite of aware of not only my skin but my privilege. But being raised by a black mother. Seeing the racism , barriers and traps she encountered, even possessing the most brilliant of minds and her still being able to rise to the top, has given me and admiration, respect and reverence of black women that I can guarantee no man, black or white can top." Scott looked at me through the mirror.
"Bitch let me gon get this sex change so I can be a black woman." Brandon said to lighten the mood.
"I know one thing this black woman sitting beside me is taken. So keep your eyes and jingle fever bullshit away from her."
"Threats are punishable by jail Mr. Beckham." Scott laughed.
"Keep talking that's where my ass is going to be."
"Okay can y'all stop. And remember why we are here." I said as we got closer to where the protesters were meeting.
"You are wholeheartedly right and I apologize." Scott said.
Scott parked the car. When we got out the car. I kissed O's cheek and grabbed His hand and we walked over to the Embassy.
It was such a beautiful sight to see thousands of people gathered to speak out about police brutality. People of all races who weren't even from America but were banding together in support of their America brethern. I never thought we had this much support overseas.
A young Black British Man was speaking in front of the crowd.
We stand in solidarity with our American black brothers and sisters. We want them to know that their pain is felt across their ocean.
The crowd cheered.
We want them to know, that we even being thousands of miles away will not rest until they receive justice. Because unless they are free, we will not be. And we are going to continue to raise hell, until the American government does something about it.
The crowd begin to say chant :
No justice, no peace. No justice, no peace.
With our closed fist high, in the air, me, O, Brandon and Scott were unified in this cause with the thousands of people present.
This moment reminding us, somethings are more important than our petty troubles and making history in this moment was one.
But how long this unity amongst us, would last...only time would tell. 😩
As I said before you heauxs are going to stop going in on me and my long ass snap chat stories before I heat you heauxs like Brandon does everybody in the book. I meant long story like Khaled. It was multiple snaps. Y'all annoying 😂🙄
Also I had to address the current situation, that's why I wrote this special chapter.