Stopping the violence matters. It’s what Black people have been
saying for decades. It’s the message of Black Lives Matter: “Stop
the police violence against Blacks. Stop killing us.”
Over the last few years, Black Lives Matter organizers and followers of all races who believe
in equality and the humanity of all people turned out en mass in
peaceful protest. By speaking out and demonstrating, they were
labeled as divisive and instigators.
Some took it that “Black Lives Matter” meant “other” lives
didn’t. Wrong. The statement is an affirmation: “Our lives are not throw-away lives. They mean something in
this world. Too often our
lives are deemed expendable.”
It was not a case of Black
lives matter –- to declare others don’t matter, don’t mean
anything. Or that Black lives are more than others. The emphasis is
on the “matter.” Black lives matter, (too).
In the past two weeks, a couple of deranged Black individuals have
taken it upon themselves to exact revenge upon police. Now the
general public, police chiefs, local government officials, even
governors and presidential candidates are saying, “Stop the
violence.”
Stopping the violence matters for everyone –- every person, Black,
White, or Blue. Every ethnicity, every culture, every age, every neighborhood. Each citizen wants to
feel safe and to be safe. Each person wants
to live, to belong, to be productive, to be free, and to have power
over their own lives. Each yearns to be unafraid and to contribute to
their communities. That includes Black people.
Everyone wants the violence to
stop. And, everyone must take steps to ensure an end to the violence that
has threatened, horrified, and killed far too many people.
When
do we start taking care of what matters? It
has to be now. It has to be before even more lives are snuffed out in
rage and frustration or in misguided demonstrations of power. It has to be now to ensure our young people
have a chance to grow up and all of us can live without fear, knowing WE matter.
~ xoA ~
Excellent post, as always, Annis. I know we all agree. The problem is that the violence is so deep-rooted in societal problems and a long history of mistreatment of minorities, that we don't seem to know HOW to stop the violence. I'm so very discouraged by the current trend away from what others call "political correctness," but what I call simple courtesy and sensitivity to others. One of the things I find most dangerous about Trump is that he seems to have encouraged a climate of shouting out proudly the most hateful rhetoric. Dangerous and sad and discouraging.
ReplyDeleteJoan, thank you for another of your thoughtful responses. The historical and present-day violence are deeply ingrained in so many Americans. So much mistrust and frustration on all sides. It is a discouraging situation, this wearing hatred like a badge and too many people wanting to get into "the club."
DeleteI guess the best WE can do is speaking up for justice and an end to the kind of thinking that instigates and perpetuates hate. ~ xoA
Annis, you have never failed to bring us insight and have us come away with our own thoughts. Your last 2 paragraphs are "Magic". How many of us feel the same and how many more continue to be closed to change. Aretha Franklin's RESPECT is another word to live by. We, parents, need to do a better job of teaching our children RESPECT for each other, our parents, our family and those who protect us as well as the President. Whoever holds that office we may not agree with, but respect the head of our Country. We need to quit the disrespect going on in our country and we need to step up and find that what really matters is each of us and our love of each other and country. Thank you for words and trying to wake us up to taking some action. With friendship/michelle
ReplyDeleteOh, Michelle. I am glad if this post has offered some food for thought and action. And, I so appreciate you taking time to read and comment.
DeleteMutual respect is a key. These days it is far too easy to fall into the mode of disrespecting others and expressing negativity. This is something I have had to recognize in myself and then re-think my words and actions.
Bless your heart for writing, my friend. xoA
I love this post. Everyone just wants to be free to be who they want to be and not be in fear of those that are supposed to protect us and those families who send their loved ones out to serve and protect want that as well.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Donnee. We are all human, wanting the same things. Deserving of respect and the freedom to be who we aspire to be. Thanks so much for reading and posting, dear one. xoA
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