For if there was ever a time to take action, that time would be now! This past week was perhaps one of the bloodiest weeks we have ever seen. Hatred knocked on America’s door and she answered, as she has done for centuries. As the nation mourns the lost of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile people of all racial backgrounds are having the tough conversation about Black Lives. While Black America has taken to the streets to demand that these persecutors of justice are rightfully punished, a social upheaval has begun. Not only are Blacks showing up in record numbers, members of other racial groups are now showing their solidarity in the Black Lives Matter Movement. Having the access to social media, the world now sits in our hands. The world has seen alarming videos of the police brutality in America and global citizens have protested asking for America’s War on Blacks to end! While so many people are supporting the movement for Black lives, we have yet to see entire police forces stand in unity demanding that their colleagues be held accountable. Instead, police forces are continuing to hide behind their badges and are allowing racist, prejudice, and armed policemen to resume “protecting” Black citizens of this nation. Police officers, who have sworn an oath to protect us, are doing more to cover themselves (and their colleagues) when they are clearly in the wrong.

Our frustration is not just because police are killing members in the African-American community, but our frustration is that these officers are murdering us with the belief that they can get away with it. Black people are not a danger to America. In fact, Blacks have committed to this country entirely more than this country has committed to them. Everything we posses, such as the right to vote and the right to attend desegregated schools, had to be fought for. This country has never given the Black man anything except for time in jail for minor offenses. Police has always target Black men and have ruined the lives of countless of Black men by charging them with crimes they did not do.

What has the Black community done so wicked for America to not value their lives? Blacks are not America’s mistress and deserve to have the right to feel protected and valued in our own home.

Our lives matter and it is breathtaking that this nation still does not understand that. As I watched the Alton Sterling lay helpless on the ground gasping for air and fighting for his life, all I could think of is that could have been me. In fact, that was me! Alton Sterling, along with so many other Black men, took a bullet that was intended for you and I. If the powers that existed could have its way, there would be no uncertainty that my life would have been taken by the hands of a racist.

We as a community must fight back and must become proactive instead of reactive. We must continue to unify and pull back our resources from business that are not speaking against this issue or supporting Black lives with their resources. I encourage members in the Black community and its supporters, to pull their money out of the greedy hands of white own banks and invest your money into Black own banks. This fight is not just a fight for Black lives, but it is a fight for all lives that have been devalued by a racist, unjust, and tyrannical system.