I had to bite my tongue this week and paint a pretty picture for parents and students who were here at University of Pittsburgh Bradford for new student orientation. My mind was racing with different types of emotions on the events that occurred within the Black community; Alton Sterling, Philandro Castile, and the Dallas Shooting. All those events appeared in one week had put the world to a halt. These events also had many individuals questioning, “What am I doing to stop police brutality and racism?”

Let’s talk about the reality for a minute.

This week I thought more and more a lot about the future and the field of Higher Education. From the events that occurred this week, I have many worries for myself as young black man within my black community now more than ever. I worry if the color of my skin will be an issue after hours if I walk to the store down the street to get a gallon of milk and a white police officer stops me to search me for weapons and shoots me without thinking twice about my life mattering. I worry for my black youth that are being raised in this day in age of police brutality and racism crime. I worry for all the black families living in fear of what if today is the day their “sons’ or daughters” life would potentially end.

The thoughts and words in the mind of black parents now is having the discussion with their child about survival tips when approached by a police officer. Compare to a white family who does not worry about their life being taken away from them just because of the color of their skin. Alyssa Dunn, professor of Teacher Education at Michigan State University stated “I don’t worry that [my son] will be killed by the police while playing in a park. In front of a store. While walking home with skittles, while driving. With his hands up. Because my son is white."

The most important realization of privilege is that as a white person with a white child, does not fear that they will be stopped by police while driving in their car simply minding their own business. They don't have to tell their child, each time they leave the house, "if a cop stops you for not using your turn signal, keep your hands visible! Don't move! He might think you have a gun!" They don't have to tell them this because in our society, looking to be of European heritage is considered normal, respectable, non-criminal, etc. My point is, this is a reality of what the world is now for those who are black and those who are white. This must change!

The #BlackLivesMatter movement is now roaring more than ever for dignity, justice, and respect for those in the black community. In the last few days, the country and world witnessed the murder of two black men each at the hands of a white police officer and our failed policing system. White supremacy in this country is real and alive and that is just reality. White supremacy exists in our school system, neighborhoods, our judicial courts, in our policing system and incarceration. On the event of what occurred in Dallas, it was a devastating tragedy that those police officers’ life were taken away from them. Those men and women swear under oath to protect the public citizen in this country from any harm and unjust, while their lives were just that, harmed and unjust. I send my deepest condolences to the families of those officers for their lost ones.

I want to make something very clear and it is that black people do not want to take the lives of police officers in this country, but it is to spread the word and let others be aware of the police brutality and racism that occurs within our system and how that affects the black community. Just because we wish racism did not exist does not mean race does not; hence the slogan #BlackLivesMatter. President Obama addressed the event in a press conference stating that “All of us as American should be troubled by these shootings, because these are not isolated incidents, they’re symptomatic of broader set of racial disparities that exist in our criminal justice system” along with a number of research done of few statistics about African American men. The disparity occurs more and more within the black community than any other racial community.

I am a first generation college student in the field of Higher Education pursuing my Masters and I don’t claim to know all answers. I am still learning but I know waiting for a life-changing experience later in life will be too late. It’s on all of us as a nation together to change. What can we do?

Get comfortable about being uncomfortable

The topic and issues that come along with racism is not going anywhere or anytime soon. We are in an era in time of where we will see more racism being prevalent in all aspect of life. As a country I challenge us to be uncomfortable with our own introspective perspective on what is happening around us. We live our life from the social media or peer pressure that is pushed towards us about racist, prejudiced or bigoted beliefs about different groups. If you find yourself being prejudiced, ask yourself why you acted or behaved that way. If you are a bystander and did nothing, ask yourself why. If you let a racist joke be told, ask yourself why. What stopped you from speaking up? Be willing to change how you think about groups different from your own.

Be Aware

At night when we sit with our family members and watch TV and movies or while you read books, magazines, internet sites, or listen to music, be critical. What stereotypical images or messages are you getting about ethnic and racial groups and/or gender? How are racial and ethnic groups and/or the different genders being represented? Are they in a wide range of roles or only certain ones? The mass media provides the images, symbols, and narratives that shape the way we understand society. How is mass media trying to manipulate you or the oppress group? Be aware of those aspects and if anything, asks questions.

Lead by Example

One can lead by example by being involve in activities that place you in an environment where you are exposed to people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds such as the Black Lives Matter movement organization. In doing so, this will be an effort that can lead to a great understanding of what is the meaning and mission of the organization. Another thing to think about is attending museums, music events, ethnic festivals, restaurants, and stores to expand your appreciation of different ethnicity and nationalities. Participating and exposing yourself to those environments will give you an enrich perspective and a great deal of appreciate for the lives of others from a different ethnic group.

But here is the thing: it should not have been the cost of the lives of Black people to be lost for us as a nation to take action about police brutality and racism in this country. The recent deaths of our brothers should not be in vain. Rather they should serve as the fuel to our fire to continue the fight for equality for "all mankind” because #BlackLivesMatter. “We must learn to live together as brothers or we will perish together as fools” Martin Luther King Jr

#BlackLivesDoesMatter