So for the past week, I have been arguing with everyone I could. I literally picked fights to tell people off. Eventually, I took a break from social media and started thinking. Did I ask myself Why? Why am I giving them the time of day? Wait, Why don't they side with me anyway? These crazy questions lead me to start my own research project dealing with the issues. I decide to stop fighting and tolerating nonsense and conduct serious conversations. I decide to have a conversation with the so called enemy and tell about it.
My initial feelings going into this was reminding myself to listen and not react. Too many people are not listening to each other. I literally listened and realized a lot of people don't understand BlackLivesMatter and in true fashion hate it. Some of my conversations went straight to why is there so much violence? I had to say honestly I don't know but you can't blame everyone for it. The same way everyone is saying all cops aren't bad is the same notion you need to have about BlackLivesMatter protesters. Situations are happening everywhere and you want to label everyone. After the one conversation, she understood that no one is promoting violence but wanting answers and justice. I shouldn't live in fear of my father leaving the house every day.
Another particular interesting one I got into was the fact the media is the only outlet of information they have. I spoke with one man that literally quoted the media the whole time. I asked him "has he ever talked to someone like me?", and he responded NO. I asked again "How is it that you assume the media is right when this conversation is clearly showing no hate but understanding?" He was baffled by this and realized, like always, the media lies. Nobody sees the protesters who are are quietly and protesting and hugging each other and the anti-protesters. My last couple of conversations pretty much all went the same. They say it was self-defense and talk about black on black crime blah blah blah. The killing point I had was the fact they don't do research! I asked them to have they even heard of the groups doing good things to stop crime in our neighborhoods and they responded no. How are you only able to look at the media? I also recommend they READ (keyword which is something else some don't do) my article on community outreach and they refused. All people can do is say "what about black on black crime" but have never stepped foot in a community to see the efforts being taken. Don't ask about somewhere you would never go never even reached out too.
There are a lot of people out there who honestly are choosing sides and not taking the time to read. We are in a very draining time right now. I ask everyone to stop fighting and making slurs and to listen. I believe some people are too far gone to understand so don't bring that negativity your way. For the people who really just want to understand talk to them, don't close up and be selfish. There are a lot of people who want to support the black men and women but can't get the facts they need or be heard. We need justice and peace.
