I’m not even sure this is my place to speak or share. Or maybe it is. I am not sure, but what I do know it’s on my heart. And my heart is heavy.
I’ve been hesitant to post but God has been pulling my heart ties for several days.
I honestly think it needs to be said. It needs to be heard. It needs to be read over and over again. My voice doesn’t need to be heard but those of the Black community do need to be heard.
Black lives matter.
“BLACK LIVES MATTER.”
They do. Each and Every single one.
Just like your life matters, yes you. Whoever is reading this. Your life matters.
And it’s not saying white lives don’t matter, or Asian lives, or Muslim lives or whoever else’s lives “don’t matter”. That’s NOT the point.
The point is, and has been- Black lives matter!
And if you aren’t grasping that at this time in life, if you aren’t simplying trying to understand that, then you are a part of the problem.
“The point is Black Lives Matter.”
They have always mattered, but no one seems to share and show the same respect for their race. And Why is that? Really ask yourself why?
Black lives are continuously being senselessly taken. By policemen, by undercover cops, by white supremacists, etc.
Their lives are being taken for no reason other than the color of their skin.
There are so many scenarios, so many videos, so many hashtags.
TOO MANY!!!
There are too many stories and headlines that are miss worded. Worded to look as if authority had “a right to kill these black men and women”
They don’t.
These black men and women, deserved to live! They had a right to life. A right to go for a run, a right to go to the grocery store. A right to exist.
Read it again.
“A right to exist.”
Racism exists. I don’t experience it myself, but I see it. I hear it. I notice it.
It’s wrong. It’s been wrong. People need to wake up. And show love and respect for their race. Black people, Black lives, Black humans. Just like they would for anyone else. Because they are just that HUMANS. We are all just that, Humans!
God made humans. All humans. Of every color and race. He loves them. He loves them all. And so should we, so should everyone else.
We need to love one another as our own. We need to give support. A lending hand, a shoulder to cry on, and ear to listen, or be a body that shows up!!
God did not make one human or race better than the other. We are all created EQUAL in the eyes of God.
In no way, is this world doing the same. In no way is everyone being loved and respected the same. We are not treating all humans, all humans that God created as equal.
In no way are we treating the African American race as they are Equal. They are Americans. They are humans.
We need to Do better. Be better.
Be kind. Show love. Show compassion.
Black people are being suppressed, they are being killed. While we sit back and watch. We are sad and upset. We are shocked and confused. But then no one stands up for them. No one shows up and does anything.
We retweet. We share hashtags. We repost the video or post by a celebrity.
But are we actually trying to find ways to change the problem?
Are we actually looking for a solution?
How about talking to your legislature about police officers not getting paid leave when such events happen? Calling your senators and forcing them to take action.
Forcing our government to look. To pay attention and to do actually do something about it! Not just give it media attention.
Sign the petitions. Text the number. Donate money. Go to protests. Stand tall, protect their community! Show that you are a part of their community and support their efforts to make a change!
Their families, deserve closure. They deserve better. They deserve to know that people care about their lost loved ones.
I am livid. I am sad. I am upset and mad. I am experiencing a ton of emotions. But you know who have way more emotions?
The black population. The people who have to actually experience this happening. The families, the loved ones- of those killed, murdered.
I am experiencing this from an outside lense. An outside view. I am not in it, I am not living in that fear. I am not experiencing first hand the discrimination, the racism.
For those people in it. For those living in fear, I am almost positive their emotions are 100x worse than mine. I am so sorry for all the hurt you have experience in the years of oppression.
It is so sad that this is the world you have to live in. My heart breaks for you- it hurts and aches even though I do not feel it to the depths you have to experience it.
Turning on the news or opening their feed and seeing yet another Black life taken. Seeing another case dismissed. Seeing no justice being given. Seeing no care, love, or respect being shown for their race, for their family, for their children, mothers, fathers, for their people!
We have to stand up for them. We have to speak up, we have to show up. White privilege is real and we need to start using it for good!
We need to start respecting them. We need to start loving them as our own, as your own.
People will comment and say “well what about white lives” “what about the good cops” “what about the protest and riots” “what about this” “or that”
Well WHAT ABOUT IT???
Are white people being suppressed? Are they being killed by cops for no reason? Are they getting hunted down for going on a run? Are the good cops taking a stand against their racist co workers?
No. They simply aren’t. We are living this normal American life. Going out and about, doing whatever we please with no worry about much of anything.
Are all cops bad? No. THATS NOT THE POINT. Do all lives matter, yes BUT THATS NOT THE POINT. The point again and again is that the world has shown that Black lives don’t matter enough… and they NEED TO! So until we recognize and start showing that BLACK LIVES MATTER, then nothing else needs to be addressed.
Black Lives Matter!
There is no “but” to the conversation. There is no “what about this” it’s not about you. It’s not about this or that. It’s simply about Black Lives Matter and they need to be shown the same respect every single day as white people are given with no thought.
We need to wake up and see it for what it is. We need to start loving each and everyone around us all as if they are God’s people. Because guess what, they are!
We need to start acknowledging the racism as it is. See if for how their race sees and experiences it. Not for how it is “not affecting us”
That is white privilege, thinking well it’s not directing affecting me. So I don’t need to worry about it or do anything about it. THAT IS THE PROBLEM!!!
We need to have uncomfortable conversions with other white people. With white people who still show racism openly or privately. We need to call them out! Stand up and tell them it’s wrong.
It time to change things. Not just sit back and continuing to watch it happen again and again.
Carlos Rodriguez said this: “ “I see no color” is not the goal. I see your color and I honor you. I value your input. I will be educated about your lived experiences. I will work against racism that harms you. You are beautiful. Tell me how to do better. That is the goal.”
That. That is exactly what Americans. Exactly what white people need to do. White people need to acknowledge their color, their race and honor them. Love them.
So Start by Loving one another.
“Love one another as I have loved you.”
Pray. Pray for those affected. Pray for change. Pray for justice. Pray, pray, pray.
And then find some way to show up. Find some way to to be a part of the solution, not the problem.
Say something when you see it. SPEAK UP! Pay attention, call people out of their shit. Tell them to love one another and not create the hatred. Tell them it’s 2020, and the person next to them was created the exact same way they were. That God loves you and much as the person next to you.
Things won’t be fixed over night. Things won’t be fixed at all if we each don’t do our part to fix the problem. To finding the solution— but first realize and acknowledge there is a problem.
Because there is a problem.
And it is time that we finally start doing something about it, instead of waiting for the next person to make the first step.
Below are a few ways to educate yourself. Few ways to help start the chain reaction for change. There are a ton of references out there to start the change. There are a ton of resources out there to help. Find something that hits you right in your chest and go do something about it.
Be the change.
Thanks for reading. Share if you’d like. Reach out to those in need. Show love and Love one another.
** Again my voice is not what needs to be heard, the Black community is who needs to be heard!!**
God bless you all. And may God bring peace to those who are hurting. And to those protesting be safe! We love you. We support you!
XOXO.
Resources:
- Change.org
- Justice for George Floyd petition -sign and donate, if you can
- Text “Floyd” to 55156 and sign
- Text “Justice” to 668366
- #JusticeforFloyd – sign the petition
- Justice for Big Floyd – sign petition
- Black Lives Matter -fund the movement – donate, if you can
- Stand for Breonna Taylor -sign petition
- Justice for Ahmaud Arbery, I run with Maud – Sign petition
More resources and education:
If I am missing any resources that are in need of attention, please comment or email and I will add to this post! Thanks.
Soul Purpose 