Dear Closed-Minded, 'blind to reality' human beings,

I have heard so many things about Black Live Matters from every walk of life. Whether it was good or bad, everyone has something to say about Black Live Matters. Moreover, many people still confuse BLM with being a hate group or only looking to help one race. Black Lives Matters is All lives Matters. Many dismiss that each chapter supports the community they are in, whether they are Black, White or Asian. They have been incidents of violence but Black Lives Matters NEVER supported these acts. Any brutality came from the people that caused it, not Black live Matters members. The 'barbarism' comes from the outrage of injustice and oppression of minorities. The younger generation has become reckless because of they have only seen one type of 'person' and have turned to violence believing that it will help. Violence gets us nowhere and only ends with more of our brothers and sisters being killed. Many minorities lose their lives each and every day not just by death, but by losing a right that so many don't even have. They continue to bring to light the injustice to minorities because so many of us have been pushed down and told that we won't amount to anything. Many don't understand that, or the fact that a majority of others are very much privileged. You have to take a moment to step into a minorities shoes and realize, we continuously get the short end of the stick just because we born into a community or race that we can't change.

I can honestly say that at some point I was outraged but I was too scared to say anything. I didn't want to speak up and protest because I was once blind too. I knew that racism was never dead but I didn't acknowledge the oppression. I believed that things had changed when we had elected President Obama. Frankly, I was truly naïve to believe that. I believe that now that I am more than I used to be. I learned to change my way of thinking and came to love myself as a black woman and woman in general. I am no longer blinded by societies beliefs and oppression.

"To love and desire freedom and justice for ourselves is a necessary Prerequisite for wanting the same for others."

Black Lives Matters isn't built on the belief that we should tear down people but to help and educate people to better understand oppression that happens to the masses.

Understanding the problem is only step one. Fixing the problem is the solution to create a better environment for everyone. Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it isn't there. They use some techniques that I, personally, think could've been done differently but are also effective at catching the attention of the people. BLM picks up where our forefathers left off.

Black Live Matters has taken protests to the streets and media a number of times to make sure our voices are heard! The purpose is to end the oppression of POC and all minorities. Comparing the KKK or any hate group for that fact is uncalled for and not at all what BLM stands for. It's and absolutely unsound statement to calling them anything close to the KKK. Hate groups go out of their way to cause harm and tear down communities. Hate groups intended to build up only one race or person. BLM intends to build and bring people together. BLM seeks out diversity to celebrate differences and commonalities. They expect the best out all people not just one set group.

"We are committed to collectively, lovingly and courageously working vigorously for freedom and justice for Black people and, by extension all people. As we forge our path, we intentionally build and nurture a beloved community that is bonded together through a beautiful struggle that is restorative, not depleting."

The problem is that many of the "uneducated" people are stuck in their own ways and they do not see the oppression as a problem. They will never truly understand the problem until they themselves have to deal with it. With education and understanding of the oppression, they can change themselves and the future for generations to come. I don't want my future children to have to deal with any of what I went through as a child and I still deal with as an adult. This change is necessary. It will help not just black lives but ALL LIVES. So the next time I hear someone diss Black Lives Matter, don't be surprised if I snap back with a snarky remark. Hopefully, this helps a blind person see the real truth.

Spread Love, Not Hate.

Sincerely,

Shanelle Jacobs