Contrary to popular belief, the Black Lives Matter movement has absolutely nothing to do with placing one racial group above another as superiors. Mainly because we do not need a movement to do that, it's been happening throughout all of history.
The movement is actually about calling attention to something. If someone were to take a second to observe the recent events and be open to hearing all sides, they would understand. The concept is not difficult to grasp: African American people want change.
Change is something that most minorities strive for. Members of the LGBTQ+ community strive for the ability to love freely and be themselves. Immigrants strive to be in a safe environment where they grow and prosper. Women strive to be treated with respect and lose the fear of sexual harassment and abuse. And, just like these groups and many others, African American people strive to be safe and treated with respect, not feared and killed.
This movement is about making sure our voices are heard. We have seen throughout history that no one will agree that one particular form of protest creates more change than another. Although most groups tend to stick to peaceful protests, acts such as sitting during the National Anthem still receive abnormal amounts of criticism for doing exactly what they were meant to do: call attention to a very large problem. If we allowed the media to convey the wrong message about us and continue enforcing the idea that nothing will change, then we have chosen to be silent and allow the abuse to continue. This movement is about gaining the attention of those who do not understand racial prejudices and forcing them to listen instead of ignoring the problem.
Racial discrimination is not the annoying boy who sits behind you and tugs on your braids in third grade. Racial discrimination is a serious problem that one person cannot fight on their own. By creating the Black Lives Matter movement, we have initiated change in this moment, shouting from the rooftops that we will not be silenced. Black Lives Matter is about making us equal, not making us better.
