Growing up in this day and age, I have come to what may be a very obvious realization: people are not going to agree. With so many different ideas and backgrounds coexisting in one place, people have different understandings of how life should operate. Therefore, there will always be social issues and disagreements in the world. You may not agree with certain things, the “popular” opinion, or who people are voting for, but if you are educated in what you stand for, that is what matters.
Anyway, here's a precursor before you continue reading: this is a generalization about the current issues in our country. If you have similar opinions to me, I have a lot of respect for you. If you disagree with what I’m about to talk about, that’s fine too. However, if you’re someone who isn’t interested in creating an educated opinion on the issues that are happening in our society, you can stop reading now and just know that ignorance is not bliss.
There have been many social issues throughout history such as abortion, gun control, LGBTQ issues, immigration issues, and civil rights issues, to name a few. Everyone has some opinion about every issue in the world.
One current issue that really gets under my skin is the Black Lives Matter movement. I cannot begin to even fathom the ignorance of some people in regard to this movement. Yes, I am white, but I am very disappointed in a large portion of my race. Not only am I disappointed in how some people of my race choose to act, I am disappointed in the fact that race still plays a role in our society. We all have the same body parts and blood and we are all human beings, so race shouldn’t even be a factor in how we live our lives or how we treat others.
Black Lives Matter does not in any way say that white lives don’t matter. In fact, Black Lives Matter is simply saying that black lives should be taken as seriously as white lives. Black lives do not matter more than white lives or other lives, but they sure matter just as much.
When Beyoncé released "Formation," I was so hyped! Why is that? It's because Queen Bey released a new song. She released not just any song, but a powerful, meaningful, and honest song with a message. The fact that the whole country went crazy and there was even an uproar over this song is absolutely insane. Beyoncé is African-American, so, yes, she has every right to release a pro-black anthem. She does not sing to cater to or please a certain group of people. Because she released a song that wasn’t about what some people like or that some people can’t connect with, she should be boycotted? Get out of here. So, if you are one of the people who are upset and who are going to boycott her because she is supporting her own race, then you can also boycott talking to me or being my friend because I have no respect or tolerance for that kind of attitude and behavior.
Next time that you’re on the couch watching LeBron James play or rooting for Cam Newton, think about how people support them regardless of their color. Next time that you’re in the car screaming the lyrics of The Weeknd, John Legend, and Rihanna, think about how people love their music regardless of their color. Next time that you are watching Kerry Washington on "Scandal" or Viola Davis on "How to Get Away with Murder," think about how people love those shows regardless of the color of the lead actresses. Michael Jordan, Maya Angelou, Morgan Freeman, and Oprah Winfrey’s lives all matter just as much as your African-American neighbor and just as much as yours. Black lives matter and equality should be demanded from all of us.
At the end of this article, my goal is not to solicit supporters for this movement. It would be cool if you did support Black Lives Matter, however, like I mentioned before, you’re entitled to your own ideas and opinions as am I. I understand that some people have different opinions because of how they were raised or an event that molded their views on these issues. Honestly, this is not a battle cry for supporters of the Black Lives Matter movement. This is a battle cry for humanity. Simply educate yourself on the social issues and always try and do the right thing. Make educated opinions and try to understand what is happening around you because, at the end of the day, ignorance towards what is happening to those around you is not bliss.
