As a White female, raised by two White parents in a White man’s world, there is a lot to say about my view on the Black Lives Matter movement, and it might surprise you. Yes, America is a White man’s world that all of us live in; at one point in history White men were the only individuals that could vote while the rest of American’s had no value, or rights. I would like to say that I do not, and will not claim to know how it feels to be Black in any way. This is my view on why White people should stand behind the Black Lives Matter movement.
By supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, it does not mean I am racist against white people in any way. It is, in fact, important to understand the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement is in no way saying that other lives do not matter, hence the uproar causing ignorant people to say “All Lives Matter.” Yes, all lives do matter, but by standing behind the Black Lives Matter movement does not mean I am saying other lives do not matter. It is bringing up the horrifying reality, racism is alive. It is raging and growing, and should not be ignored. No one should be scared for their husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, uncle, aunt, grandfather, grandmother, neighbor, or their self to leave, and not come home. According to DualDiagnosis.org, African American’s are at a higher risk of depression. I can honestly see why. Worrying about their loved ones, stereotypes, and other racial issues when it comes to jobs, housing, or education and being judged on false accusations has got to be extremely stressful. A stress that I, as a White woman, will never be able to grasp, and fully understand.
For years, American’s have swept the past under the rug. We do not talk about how America has done its own people wrong. In school, we learn about the Holocaust, French Revolution, and other countries that have all of these “issues.” Step back America, we have issues! We have been in a social war longer than any war documented in history. Why are students being taught more about world history than about American history? Because white men are writing our history books and it is easier to point out other's problems to make America the “hero” instead of the enemy within our own boarders. People act like the violence we see on tv and in our media is new. The violence is not new, the cameras and media are new, and have been able to voice what has been happening for years, and not being taken care of like the Civil Rights movement had hoped for. Here we are, almost 60 years later and justice is still not being served to all people.
Why are we still looking at skin colors and treating one another as if one of our brothers, or sisters are less because of the color of their skin? Blacks should have just as much say, value, and respect as anyone else in America, but they do not. The Civil Rights movement took place because Blacks were treated differently, less than human, and worse than garbage. What have we, Americans, learned? We have learned to overlook our own flaws, and try to fix everyone else’s. Is that what we really want to be teaching our younger generations, we will not fix our own mistakes, but try to fix other people’s mistakes that have nothing to do with us? I never want my children thinking it is okay to point fingers, but yet not fix their own problems first. America should not be helping anyone until all American’s receive justice.
I pray justice is served for:
#TrayvonMartin
#MichaelBrown
#ErnestSatterwhite
#DontreHamilton
#EricGarner
#JohnCrawfordIII
#LevarJones
#TamirRice
#MichaelDunn
#SandraBland
#KathrynJohnston
#SeanBell
#RekiaBoyd
#AmadouDiallo
#KimaniGray
#KennethChamberlain
#TravaresMcGill
#AiyanaStanley-Jones
#FreddieGray
#AltonSterling
And the other lives who have been lost without justice.
#BlackLivesMatter
