Student Speaks out for BLM, Leads a Peaceful Protest, and Follows his Dreams.

Irina Barneda / Staff Writer

This year, as the outcry over police brutality reached a fever pitch following the quarantine and shutdown, Juneteenth took on a special significance. 

While back home in Brooklyn, NY during the coronavirus shutdown, FIU psychology major Jalen Lonzo Robinson has been quick to step into a leadership role and used the special significance of this day to put his talents to work, raising awareness for African American social justice issues.

It all started around 4:00 a.m. one morning when Robinson decided to create a flyer for a protest that he planned to organize on Juneteenth.

“I was not expecting a huge turnout because there were so many events going on that day. In the beginning, we had a couple thousand people,” said Robinson. 

Robinson said by the end of the day almost 12,000 protesters had turned out in support of the event.

“We stopped anywhere we could educate people and cause a disturbance,” said Robinson. “We walked through Park Slope, which is a gentrified neighborhood where there’s over-policing, and also walked up to a detention center known for its hostile environment and abusive correction officers.”

Robinson says he has been invested in social justice since middle school and explains that the BLM’s recent events sparked a different type of movement than prior incidents, even though these types of incidents are nothing new.

“I used to be angry, but I realized I was approaching it wrong,” said Robinson.” I have a following of people who follow me for my art and music, and others who come to my page for information. So I took it as my responsibility to use my platform and educate people in the proper way.”

“I lost like 400 followers on Instagram because of things I posted,” said Robinson. “I know there’s a lot of people who don’t like what I do, but I couldn’t care less that people don’t support a movement for equality.”

Whether it’s his podcast, music, fitness, writing, schoolwork, or relationships, Robison lives by the phrase, “don’t waste work.”

“My dad said it to me one time,” said Robinson. Anything that I put time and effort into, I want to make sure that I can follow through with.”

Robinson saw an opportunity to use the platform he built for himself to try and educate people, although as he would find out, many people did respond negatively to his message as well. 

“I lost like 400 followers on Instagram because of things I posted,” said Robinson. “I know there’s a lot of people who don’t like what I do, but I couldn’t care less that people don’t support a movement for equality.”

Robinson is the host of a podcast where he speaks about justice issues, such as becoming accustomed to discrimination and feeling like an outsider in predominantly white sports teams. He also has guest speakers share their stories and experiences.

On one of his next podcasts, Robison plans to speak with a New York City police officer.

“Being a black kid from New York, you have a natural distrust of police officers,” said Robinson. “We could either have a productive conversation, and see each other’s perspectives, or I get emotional and hear things I’ve heard before.”

In addition to his podcast, Robinson also writes and performs music with a message.

“I don’t ever speak about it because I choose to let my music find people. I make music for myself and as a coping mechanism,” said Robinson. “I’ve continued making music because I have seen the impact that it’s had on other people.”

Robinson says that the first step in making a difference is to just listen.

“Whoever’s not directly impacted needs to listen to those who are. This is not just about racial equality. This goes for every scenario that’s going on in the world right now,” said Robinson. “Also, go to the library and educate yourselves.”

His protest was featured on the multiple news sites including the New York Times and Gotham Gazette.

To find his music and podcasts search Jay Lozo on all platforms.