As Serena Milne fights for social justice, through activism, managing social media pages, volunteering, and being involved with her community, she is able to help many others at disadvantages.
Serena Milne is a 21 year old activist, living in Saint Augustine Fla., that is working diligently to resolve social issues within her community.
Growing up in Sparta, N.J., where she lived with her mother and sister, Milne’s mother influenced her by exhibiting a strong woman’s role in society by raising two girls and simultaneously holding a full-time job to provide for the family.
Milne is currently working to resolve systematic racism that is perpetuated by police departments and brutality, along with corrupted institutions that are benefiting from the suffering of communities that are at disadvantages.
“Specifically in Saint Augustine, we have worked to address and remove symbols of white supremacy like the two Confederate monuments in our downtown plaza. Since this goal has been achieved, we are now working to directly impact the community and citizens that are struggling, like the homeless population and disadvantages in the Black community by working to create a people’s assembly,“ Milne said.
Becoming involved in activism June 2020, after George Floyd’s death, Milne’s passion for social justice has been prevalent since Donald Trump was elected President, in the 2016 election.
Milne has taken action towards helping her community by joining the Women’s March Alliance of North Florida, promoting Reverend Ron Rawls from the St. Paul AME Church in Saint Augustine, Fla. on Instagram, working with Rory Thompson the President of the Black Students Association at Flagler College, and creating the St. Augustine Political Action Committee.
While promoting Reverend Ron Rawls, to directly connect with the issues the Black community is addressing, Milne educates the public on the issues presented to her through graphic slides on Instagram. You can follow Milne’s Instagram at “@zzombiemami”
With many others against the monuments being removed, Milne’s work towards social justice has created some harassment from the local citizens.
“I am currently unable to walk downtown by myself because there are groups of people that follow me while screaming,” Milne said.
Despite the challenges Milne faces on a day to day basis, some of her short term goals are to provide for the homeless community with food and water weekly, because the shelters are struggling immensely due to Covid.
“We are currently accepting donations to create a nonprofit to address homeless women’s reproductive health by providing tampons and pads for women who cannot afford them,” Milne said.
Being involved with the community and trying to resolve these social issues has also resulted in some of the most beautiful and the ugliest experiences for Milne.
“I have felt moments of complete unity and overall inspiration. I have also felt moments of extreme fear for the people’s safety around me, and disgust at the amount of hatred that people have for those who want equal rights,” Milne said.
During a protest held by Milne and Tony Brown, a local citizen, protestors met with at least 150 counter protestors, including the Proud Boys, a known sexist and white supremacist organization, and The Bikers for 45.
To this day Milne’s greatest accomplishment has been supporting and assisting the Black community and the Women’s March, by receiving over 4,000 signatures to support their cause and to take down the statues.
With protestors in Saint Augustine facing the harassment of counter protestors, through intimidation tactics and shouting racist, sexist, and homophobic comments, Milne hopes to improve the way people protest by ignoring the anger from others, and instead aiming to get everyone on the same page.
Planning to live in Saint Augustine for at least another 5 years, Milne intends to continue her support for current activism, create non-profit organizations to assist the homeless, and a people’s assembly to address communal issues first hand.
Milne urges everyone to become involved, take action, and help those at disadvantages by; educating yourself and others around you, supporting black and progressive local businesses, and using your voice to stand against racism.
“Use your voice, social media, or wallet in whatever way you are comfortable, as long as you are supporting and uplifting the Black community and individuals in your circle,” Milne said.
Cameron Hammer 