Black Lives Matter ...why you should care!
So this post began this morning during my regular social media round up (aka stare at my phone for 2 hours). I saw tons of stuff on the debate last night but I won't even get started on that! I also started to see several posts which were [in my opinion] attempting to take away the validity of the Black Lives Matter Movement. Sadly our media, social media, and press are not as impartial as we would hope.
You need to remember that the news is a business
and the owners of that business want to make a profit.
What we see on television or that is shared on social media has to be examined. Is this statement, comment, or article truthful and factual? You'll want to look for data behind the 'facts' that are being listed. The person you are listening to, are they being truthful and factual, are they using full quotes and accurate information? Is this a one sided argument being shown? I think this is one of the biggest problems that is keeping people divided.
Now that we are on the same page about truth and facts:
These articles and videos I saw today which led me to this post; once examined were unfair and biased. All lives matters was created AFTER the movement Black Lives Matter. It was in response to the African-American community standing up and saying that they will not stand for these injustices. The problem with all lives matter is that you are [once again] diminishing what this particular community has suffered, in the past, in the present, and if nothing is done in the future. If you deny that the African-American community has been unfairly treated; you are part of the problem.
If you really think about it Black Lives Matter is the same as all lives matter. We don't need to be reminded that white lives matter because they always have in this country. White lives have always had it easier, me included. White privilege is real.
Black lives matter doesn't mean you have to be sorry for being white, DUH!
Black Lives Matter movement was created like any other group striving for better, to gain attention and make CHANGE! The movement does not want to tear down white people. BLM wants to have the recognition that their community deserves. The police shootings to stop and people to be held accountable. New laws, training, and procedures need to be put in place. The militarization of our police needs to stop. The police matter, yes we know, they are getting paid to do a job, and we need to make sure they are equipped with the knowledge needed to keep themselves and everyone else safe. They need to be trained better in modern times on mental disorders and many other topics. First we need acceptance of the problem by the greater populous and then the government; local state and national, to all work together and make these non-issues for our future.
"If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of oppression."
-Desmond Tutu
What a profound statement! It applies in so many situations but this one so deeply. When you watch the country around you and you do nothing; you have chosen. What can I do? It's so simple - change the way people are thinking, vote to change the policies or the people making the policies that are creating an unjust society. When you are walking down the street, see a man not a color. When you are listening to someone make jokes and it gets to the point where you are questioning if this is wrong, say something. Tell that person they are wrong. I do it all the time. People sometimes even makes jokes about it - but I don't care. I do not and will not support the continuance of racism or bias in my life. You need to make a decision that it doesn't matter what reaction you may get, RACISM IS NOT OK!
I think, and I could be wrong, but the first step is acceptance. Accept that African-Americans are justified in their thoughts and feeling that they are not being treated fairly. That in itself can help bring us together.
Next, start looking at the facts - and let's talk about the facts: One argument against the BLM movement is the that more white people are shot by cops than black people.
Yes, that is a true fact BUT remember that our country is not 50% black/50% white. The Washington Post studied the facts and adjusted for population, "As The Post noted in a new analysis published last week, that means black Americans are 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be shot and killed by police officers. " When accounting for unarmed killings the statistics are even worse, "U.S. police officers have shot and killed the exact same number of unarmed white people as they have unarmed black people: 50 each. But because the white population is approximately five times larger than the black population, that means unarmed black Americans were five times as likely as unarmed white Americans to be shot and killed by a police officer." (link to original article at end of post)
So remember that truth next time someone tries that argument. The Black Lives Matter movement is justified and right for wanted to take a stand and make change!
It is so important that we stand next to all Americans and come together to have more love and less hate. That's what the US needs. Stop turning your shoulder, take a good look around at the things happening! Learn about the struggles others have that you don't. Speak up and defend what is RIGHT!
I think, and I could be wrong, but the first step is acceptance. Accept that African-Americans are justified in their thoughts and feeling that they are not being treated fairly. That in itself can help bring us together.
Next, start looking at the facts - and let's talk about the facts: One argument against the BLM movement is the that more white people are shot by cops than black people.
Yes, that is a true fact BUT remember that our country is not 50% black/50% white. The Washington Post studied the facts and adjusted for population, "As The Post noted in a new analysis published last week, that means black Americans are 2.5 times as likely as white Americans to be shot and killed by police officers. " When accounting for unarmed killings the statistics are even worse, "U.S. police officers have shot and killed the exact same number of unarmed white people as they have unarmed black people: 50 each. But because the white population is approximately five times larger than the black population, that means unarmed black Americans were five times as likely as unarmed white Americans to be shot and killed by a police officer." (link to original article at end of post)
So remember that truth next time someone tries that argument. The Black Lives Matter movement is justified and right for wanted to take a stand and make change!
It is so important that we stand next to all Americans and come together to have more love and less hate. That's what the US needs. Stop turning your shoulder, take a good look around at the things happening! Learn about the struggles others have that you don't. Speak up and defend what is RIGHT!
Open your eyes!
...the future is bright!
xoxo
D.Hord
Facts and Truths:
Quote of Desmond Tutu
Desmond Mpilo Tutu, CH is a South African social rights activist and retired Anglican bishop who rose to worldwide fame during the 1980s as an opponent of apartheid. Wikipedia
Quote taken from Washington Post, orginal article link:
So this post began this morning during my regular social media round up (aka stare at my phone for 2 hours). I saw tons of stuff on the deba...