So, I'm writing this as a way of helping to hopefully obsolve some of this tension that is separating too many of us. In a hope to Educate rather than Disassociate with those I care about.
To my friends whose skin is white (whom I LOVE dearly):
White Privilege is being able to go anywhere in the world without the threat of someone harming or killing you because they dislike the color of your skin. That said, ALL of you have experienced this privilege, whether aware or not. It's not to say that you feel a sense of entitlement or superiority for this or that you have done anything wrong by inheriting this. But you are simply grouped into a privilege laid out for you by your ancestors. Understand it and own it. You may not like it, but it exists.
To say BlackLivesMatter is not to say other lives dont. All lives do. The emphasis upon Black Lives is to shine a light on the apparent disregard of their lives being lost. You have to try and understand this isnt a superiority mission to say we matter "more". It is to voice that we desire to matter EQUALLY. If there wasnt a prevalent history of dismissal, of the persecution and the oppression of black lives then there wouldn't be a need to highlight the race at all. But alas, there is over 300 years of it and they are simply tired.
To my friends whose skin is black (whom I LOVE dearly):
PLEASE be patient with your friends who do not black or brown skin and who have never experienced the oppression we have. Help them to understand. Educate, dont disassociate with them. If they refuse to hear you at all then by all means, move on. But at least try and sow the seed of change within their hearts.
Recognize they may feel VERY deeply about this situation right now and about this cause but be unsure of how to Express their feelings or concern. Do not surmise that they do not care because they havent mentioned anything about it. Not everyone knows how to eloquently convey their thoughts and feelings. Give them time and gently ask how they feel and ask them if they have any questions and let them know you are a safe space they can come to ask freely without judgment.
Be prepared to LISTEN. Not REACT to what they have to say. I know emotions are High, I know this is painful and the wound is fresh, but if you truly wish to inspire and create the desired change you are wanting, then patience, understanding and compassion must come before your own feelings about this.
To Everyone: This is going to take a lot LESS Pride and a lot MORE Humility to come together to create a more equal and balanced relationship with one another. And a willingness to truly understand one another.
In conclusion:
Not all Police are bad.
But some bad people happen to be Police.
There needs to be more accountability for the misuse of police force. There needs to be stricter rules on subduing suspects and also consequences when those rules are clearly broken. There also needs to be MUCH STRONGER mental health checks done on those who want to become police officers to ensure they are not hiding severe anger managment issues or harboring racists feelings they will use their badge to take out on anyone they please. This is just not okay and it needs to stop..... like, Yesterday. I really pray that no more senseless killings have to happen.
Not all Police are bad.
But some bad people happen to be Police.
There needs to be more accountability for the misuse of police force. There needs to be stricter rules on subduing suspects and also consequences when those rules are clearly broken. There also needs to be MUCH STRONGER mental health checks done on those who want to become police officers to ensure they are not hiding severe anger managment issues or harboring racists feelings they will use their badge to take out on anyone they please. This is just not okay and it needs to stop..... like, Yesterday. I really pray that no more senseless killings have to happen.
I will do my best to hear others out and BE part of the change I wish to see in the world. I personally prefer the MLK 'Nonviolent' method to the Malocom X 'By any means necessary' method but I Fully understand both. And I see you, my brothers and sisters of color, I feel your hurt. I feel your frustration and I know you just want this to stop. And I also see you, my brothers and sisters who are white, I know you do not like this either, and I know you want this to stop.
We all want this to stop.
- Bri
WE ARE ONE RACE: HUMAN
ONE LOVE. ONE HEART. LETS GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALRIGHT.
ONE LOVE. ONE HEART. LETS GET TOGETHER AND FEEL ALRIGHT.
