In 2015, black people were killed at twice the rate of white, Hispanic and Native Americans. Police brutality against black people in America has become so common that we're becoming more and more afraid every day of simple tasks.
We fear things such as walking home late at night, especially if we live in a nice neighborhood. Think Trayvon Martin.
We fear things like playing in the park, because even in broad daylight that can be fatal. Think Tamir Rice.
Being black means you can do everything right and still become an example, end up a statistic or a hashtag.
White people get into altercations with police every day but manage to stay alive. Black people get into altercations with police and are subdued by "warning shots" to the chest and back.
It breaks my heart that white parents contemplate the proper age for having the talk about the birds and the bees, but black parents contemplate the proper age for talking to their kids about how to ensure they make it back home alive.
Our lives matter. Black lives matter. And if you're offended by that statement, you might be part of the problem.
The Black Lives Matter movement was created to raise awareness of why our lives are being targeted at every waking moment in this country. It challenges institutionalized racism. It is intended to bring forth change in our communities. The movement provides a sense of safety and protection for us, despite everything going on around us.
Yes, all lives matter. If you aren't being racially profiled every time you set foot into a shopping mall, or every time you get pulled over by a police officer, consider yourself lucky.
Being pro-black does not mean I'm anti-white. We don't want to be better than white people. We just want to be treated fairly and equally.
We want to be educated just like you. We want to have meaningful careers just like you. We want to be homeowners just like you. But institutional racism makes life it much harder for black people for white people.
Stop trying to silence our cries for justice and equality with your hatred. We'll only come back louder and stronger.
Stop looking at black men as if they're super humans that can't be subdued. Stop looking at black women as if we're another "welfare queen" with no education. And stop looking at black boys and black girls, assuming they're future criminals.
We'll stop making it a "black and white thing" when it stops being about black and white. When we stop seeing black mothers crying over their sons and daughters, black wives crying over their husbands, and black children crying over their parents on national television then we'll stop making it a "race thing."
Until then, we'll fight as we always have. We've fought for centuries and we'll continue fighting until our black heritage isn't a "problem."
