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She is a Student Nurse, Businesswoman, Artist, and Survivor Of Police Brutality.

She is Women's History

By Genesis SmallsPublished 2 years ago 5 min read
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Black Lives Matter by Genesis Smalls

For Women’s History Month, I want to dedicate this story to a woman who inspires me to bow in prayer to honor God for bringing knowledge, health and purpose to my life. This woman is resilient, intelligent, bodacious, original, and inspirational. Her decision to live the good life is admirable. She survived police brutality in Hollywood, Florida, while studying for her nursing degree. With will and determination, she began a black-owned business while she recovered her mental and physical health in NYC.

The first time we crossed paths was at a late-night event in NYC. As usual people came to dance, show off their Style and to be audaciously loud and friendly. It was a flamboyant event filled with bright flashing lights, interesting people and friends with playful conversations and fun dancing between artists that evolved into business opportunities. She was unlike any other person in that party, she was the most fly in the room, a real gem. While in group conversations with my friends that night, I was introduced to her.

After that night, all other parties with her became filled with products and selling that would evolve into making money and eventually a thriving business. We made enough money to pay for rent, create a website, and to have extra cash to invest in artistic projects in the east coast. My idea of partying for the first time become a business affair.

Before the takeoff of her business, I remember the nights we would converse online about her court case. While she was in Florida, she would tell me about her experience with the police, how their actions against her were racist and unlawful. She told me she asked the police for help, and one of the police officers started to assault her and told her she assaulted her because she is black, wears a headscarf and smells. After the incident, she decided to pause her schooling to move to NYC with her family to heal her mental and physical health.

Once she arrived to NYC free, after winning her court case under police custody, which took about 260 days, she began selling products in various high-profile parties, while I began to sell my art and her products in the streets of NYC, Atlanta, and Miami. Her motivation to succeed is so inspirational, she was a bundle of energy ready to accomplish her goals.

We sold in places such as Afropunk NY and Atlanta, Everyday People parties in Brooklyn, Dick Appointment, African Heritage festivals, 14th street & union square, West 34th street, East Tremont in the Bronx, West Broadway in NY, Coney Island, Harlem, Astor Place, Times Square, Myrtle & Broadway in Brooklyn; we sold in almost every iconic location in NYC, and all the while, she spoke to the people about survivors of police brutality.

One of my famous paintings, which I showcased while vending with her was ‘Black Lives Matter’ by Genesis Smalls, an iconic painting that highlights the treatment of black lives during the Trump era, an art piece I was honored to show with her because she understands the pain of being harassed and assaulted by the police for no reason at all.

While the east coast tour occurred, we were able to expand our business network and meet many people who were also survivors of police brutality. Talking to people all over the east coast and being able to find similarities in how police harassment was a problem to many communities of color opened my eyes to how widespread American racism can be. On a jolly note, the diversity and unity of black people in the east coast was beautiful and bountiful. In Atlanta, my art and her products were welcomed with open arms. The first client I approached purchased our product with no hesitation, it was humbling to witness the generosity of Atlanteans.

The east coast tour solidified how important my business partners upcoming book ‘Flying through Turbulence’ will be. I still remember listening to her, while on a flight from Atlanta to Miami, discussing her idea for her book and how revolutionary it will be. She would discuss with me how it will motivate those who survived police brutality, especially black men and women and children who endure abuse from the police regularity in America. She told me she did not want her court case to be the focus, instead she wants the focus to be on the people.

I still remember painting in the front porch of an Airbnb with the orange Florida morning and hearing her tell me the news that the police officer who assaulted her is still working in the Hollywood, Florida police department. The feeling I felt was filled with disappointment for the law for not taking Police Brutality seriously.

After we came back to NYC, she decided to commission me to create patches with the faces of survivors of police brutality we met during our travels in the east coast. An original and revolutionary idea that promotes positive imagery to those who understand what it is to be assaulted and abused by the police for nothing but for being black in America.

Soon we were back to these NYC streets and in the online world to advertise our art and products. Selling in NYC is always an adventure, especially when selling with her. She always found a way to make selling an exciting and informing experience. While selling, she would always know what to say to make our clients feel comfortable. There were times in which she would straight up attract sales based on how good and naturally she would hustle. Her resilience with sales was also evident in her desire to acquire her nursing degree. After a year of mental and physical recovery from experiencing police brutality, she decided to go back to school and would motivate me to do the same.

Today, she is taking online classes, while also managing a business, a full-time job, all while providing the people positive energy whenever they see her. She is women’s history month. She is Black history, she is a survivor and she will thrive. We will thrive. Never forget to have a moment of silence to those women who did not survive Police Brutality. Thank you for reading.

Humanity
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About the Creator

Genesis Smalls

If I may begin by denying that I have never felt fear, then I would be saying the truth. I have only felt anguish and the feeling of being completely engulfed by my own weaknesses.

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