White Person Explains Why Black Lives Matter
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

White Person Explains Why Black Lives Matter

This really is everybody's problem.

18
White Person Explains Why Black Lives Matter
TeePublic

For centuries, we have had the privilege of living with all different kinds of people from all different walks of life. However, some people still fail to appreciate all that we have gained from those around us, particularly those who are different from us. If we took a step back and looked at all that we do (and should do) for each other as a species, we would realize how much every contribution matters in our society and appreciate the strides that they have made and continue to make—video games, 3-D graphics, peanut butter, jazz.

What I am trying to say is that, yes, black lives matter.

As of Friday, news has spread of a young black firefighter in North Tonawanda, New York having lost his house due to a hate crime at the hands of one of his colleagues. Kenneth Walker, 28, lost his house and two pet cats due to arson after receiving a racially charged letter from an unidentified member of the community. 39-year-old Matthew Jurado, a former colleague of Walker's, had admitted to burning the house down, though it is still unclear who sent the racially charged letter. As I am writing this, I keep seeing notifications popping up with more and more people, more and more names on this growing list of victims.

The first thought that comes to mind for me is: what number is this?

We have had over 600 shootings this year alone with about 116, or 17%, of the victims of said shootings being African American men. We have had several other undocumented crimes against African Americans, some of which are just now being uncovered due to all of the people speaking out against this persisting violence, and many others that are still being silenced. Why is just now becoming prevalent in our allegedly progressive society?

For those who are still saying all lives matter, all lives should matter. The fact of the matter is that we need BLM more than ever because too many people believe they don't. They apparently didn't matter hundreds of years ago when their ancestors were enslaved, stripped of everything they had and taken to a land in which people would rip them off for centuries after. We were able to end slavery, the state of being legally or forcefully bound to work for someone for no pay in often deplorable conditions, but we have not been able to break away from the mindset of African Americans being unfit to be active members of society.

This is the same country in which we haveelected our first black president to office just eight years ago. The same one who was recently named by the "Rolling Stone" as one of the most successful presidents in history, despite being left with the aftermath of the attacks of 9/11 and the Great Recession of 2008 (neither of which happened during his presidency).

For all the people who are still confused about what this entails, I just want you to be left with this:

Maybe people don't want to fear for their lives where, in similar situations, their fellow human beings would not have to. Maybe they don't like having their children see them being shot to death for petty crimes. Maybe, unfortunately to their chagrin, they have had to come to terms with the fact that there are people who do not know what a person looks like, but this should not conclude our fight. This is everybody's problem because they are a part of everybody, making up a lot of our country's legislature, innovators and families�—we can't spell "African Americans" without using the word "American," and they make up a sizable chunk of our population.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

56151
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

36171
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958127
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

187743
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments