Christians should support Black Lives Matter, here's why. To begin with, the phrase Black Lives Matter does not mean that other lives do not matter. The phrase means that for a long time, it has seemed like black lives have not mattered in this country. It is a cry for equality and peace that has been mocked by close minded people. The phrase All Lives Matter is a slap in the face to everyone fighting for an equal chance. I will come back to this thought later, but for now, let's look at some statistics.
According to The Huffington Post, blacks make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population and 40 percent of the prison population. According to demos.org, black families hold 2.6 percent of the national wealth, while white families hold 90 percent. These statistics are staggering and they are just a couple of examples of how black people are being oppressed in this country. We can say things like, "there aren't any laws that explicitly hold black people back", but phrases like that are ignorant to say the least. Oxford dictionary defines Systemic Racism as "Racial discrimination that has become established as normal behaviour within a society or organization." It does not say that it is put into a law, it is an established behavior. Looking at the statistics, I would say that it has become an established behavior in the U.S. A study done by The Guardian found that young black males were nine times more likely to be killed than other U.S. citizens. Yes, sometimes the young black male is armed and dangerous. Yes, sometimes the young black male is high. Yes, sometimes the young black male is both armed and high. Instead of immediately blaming a child for making the wrong choices, let's ask why he felt that was his only option.
We are blaming black people for being killed. In the history of America, white people have consistently oppressed everyone who isn't them. We slaughtered the Native Americans on their own land. We brought over slaves from Africa for hundreds of years. When black people finally got "freedom", we segregated society. All blacks couldn't even vote until 1965. That was only 51 years ago. The government allowed drugs to run rampant through black neighborhoods, the same neighborhoods that were created from white people fleeing due to an influx of black people. How many examples do I have to give before we accept responsibility?
Having looked at the facts, I would now like to address why Christians should support Black Lives Matter just in case it isn't obvious. Isaiah 10:1-3 says "Woe to those who enact evil statutes And to those who constantly record unjust decisions, So as to deprive the needy of justice And rob the poor of My people of their rights, So that widows may be their spoil And that they may plunder the orphans. Now what will you do in the day of punishment, And in the devastation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? And where will you leave your wealth?" That should be a wake-up call. If we continue to oppress, we will be destroyed. There are Christians who will fight you day and night about why abortion is wrong but will immediately switch the subject when comes to black lives. I too believe that abortion is wrong but I also care about lives that are being lived. We shout day and night about stopping gay marriage but we won't dare talk about helping black people fight injustice. As I said I would address later, I know that Black lives Matter can seem like they go "too far", but if you tied my hands behind my back, put a bag on my head, beat me, and told me to quiet down when I asked for help, I would get violent too.
Do not ignore the facts. Do not act like this does not affect you. Challenge your thoughts. Pray. Read your bible. Do something.
