The battle between Black Lives Matter and Blue Lives Matter has been all over the media for the world to see. This battle has been going on for far too long, in my opinion. Speaking of my opinion, I try and keep it off social media more lately for many reasons; sometimes I feel as if I am not as educated as I should be to speak on a topic, but mostly, it's because I don't feel that Facebook is the place to take my rage. With that being said, I am not writing this to offend anyone. I am not writing this to take a side in this battle. I am not writing this to tell you to fight for one cause or the other. I am simply writing this to speak.
Now, being that I am what some would call a "basic, privileged white girl," I may not be the best person to speak on this sort of topic, but does that mean I can't? Indeed it does not mean that. Of course we all know our First Amendment right to the freedom of speech, so before anyone tells me to stop talking on an issue of race, just hold it in for a second. Relax your mind and read what I have to say.
Personally, I think that this battle is ridiculous. Wait, don't get mad yet—I have plenty more to say. First of all, it's 2016. Slavery was abolished in 1863, that was 153 years ago. Over a hundred years later, after decades of battling, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. This act made it illegal to discriminate against people based on a multitude of things—one of which was race. Another year later, people of color were given the right to vote. Now, I truly believe that race is one the biggest issues we are currently facing in our country (maybe I'm wrong), but, I can't believe how many times I have woken up to go to school or work to see a news headline about another fight (for lack of a better word) between people of different races. It is especially heartbreaking to see that the people that are hired and payed to protect and serve communities and enforce laws are in this battle. And they are not in this battle as a buffer, they are on the front lines.
153 years ago, slavery was abolished. If you've taken a basic history class, you know that it wasn't necessarily abolished for the immorality of it all. If that doesn't say something about the cruelty we have put on an entire race for generations then I don't really know what else to say to you. Civil Rights were gained half a century ago and we still haven't learned how to work together in this country we have built on freedom and a dream of prosperity? If you are unable to see the moral wrongness of racism and the way we treat people, not only those of color, but people all over who are deemed as "different" from the norm, then what have you been taught?
Have we not been taught since an early age that we are all unique and that's OK? Have we not advanced enough as a country to see that the cruelty to and destruction of our people is exactly that: cruel and destructive? I thought that we are supposed to advance and mature and realize that the battle over race was for the people before us. I thought that they had begun to carve the path towards love and acceptance of each other. Slavery was abolished 153 years. Civil rights were given 53 years ago. The right to vote was given 52 years ago. How much longer will it take before we get off our high-horses and spread the equality rightfully deserved of every law-abiding citizen in this country?
On that note, I would like to discuss the hatred against law enforcement. I have never experienced unfair or cruel officers first-hand, but I know they're out there. I've seen the videos, I've heard the news reports. I believe without a doubt that there are people in a position of power that are hateful and racist and abusive of their power - but it's not everyone. Recently, I encountered an officer that came to speak to the camp I work at and he said something that really stuck out to me and showed that not all officers are bad guys. This particular officer mentioned that a "bad guy" can be of any race, any religion, speak any language - basically a bad guy can be anyone. For those of you who cannot believe that a person in law enforcement would say this, it's true. You just read all about my thoughts on the racism we are seeing lately—I would not make this up.
It's sickening to me that we have two causes fighting against each other, one of which is a cause for police officers. The mere fact that we have created these causes called "Black Lives Matter" and "Blue Lives Matter" is so sad to see. I get that there are officers who have done wrong and they need to be punished. I get that the justice system is not always, maybe hardly ever fair—but should we not be trying to work with those in power to change this? We cannot destroy law enforcement. We cannot destroy injustices. We can only work to make things better. There are officers out there who wake up to protect and serve all of us, there are those who really are here to make everyone's lives better. They're out there.
Constantly fighting and killing is not going to get us anywhere, it will only fuel the flame of hatred and death. We cannot survive in a world filled with hatred. I believe that most people are inherently good. I believe that we as humans, one species, want what is best for ourselves and those around us. I mean, you almost have to believe that to not be completely destroyed by all of the violence we see now. We need love and unity if we ever want to make it out of this and create a country of complete equality and justice.
"America the Beautiful"? There is nothing beautiful about a country who can not act as one and love each as we have been told to do since long before our time. I want to love my country as I did when I was younger—before I knew of it's dark secrets. I can't love something that only seems to be spreading hate lately. We need acceptance, not only for those who have fallen or those who may potentially fall, but for our prosperity as one country. A unit that shows strength and equality for all of us. Let's live up to every song, every saying, every dream created for us by those that fought to make this country as amazing and loving as I know it one day can be.
