racism in america
Like many people in the world, I have struggled to piece together the right words to put out on social media. But i’ve come to the conclusion that there may never be the perfect words to express how I feel about this matter.
So if I say something that you don’t agree with, dm me or contact me and I am here to listen to you. I am here to learn from what is happening in the world right now and I promise I will learn and listen with an open mind and heart.
The reason why i’ve been so hesitant on saying something on social media is because we live in a world that is quick to judge. But now i’m aware that it’s okay if people judge. As long as I know in my heart that what I believe in is right.
I have a couple things to address so i’m not sure how long this post will be but i’m assuming it’ll be quite long. So please bear with me.
1. All lives matter. But black lives matter most right now.
First, i’ll admit that i’ve struggled with grasping onto the fact that people were disagreeing with the fact that “all lives matter.” I thought... I know black lives matter. But aren’t black lives included in all lives?
The truth is... black lives are included in all lives. But many people don’t see that. This post by Casey Ho brought a lot of light to me and helped me understand this so much more.
In this short video, Casey shows that a). yes. All lives DO MATTER. But b). BLACK LIVES MATTER MOST RIGHT NOW.
No one said that all lives don’t matter. They do. But not all lives have a history of slavery and are still mistreated till this day in America. Black lives aren’t treated as “all lives” right now. Even though they deserve so much more than what they’re going through. I will never understand what a black person has to endure everyday living with racism but it breaks my heart hearing stories and seeing videos of their abuse.
If my family were abused like that, I would tear the world apart to get justice for them. And black lives are family and they deserve every bit of justice for how they have been mistreated.
2. White supremacy doesn’t only mean white people.
As someone who is neither white or black, I’ve been confused for a while about where I stand in this movement. And then an old friend of mine posted this on her story.
I think it is so important for people who are like me, neither white or asian to know this: white supremacy and racism are not just caused by white people.
You’re hands ARE NOT CLEAN just because you don’t stand on either side of the scale of white supremacy and black lives.
This post shows evidence of supremacy in asian americans in the past. It shows that anyone can be racist regardless of their race.
3. Because people aren’t posting BLM on social media, doesn’t make them racist.
I have seen so many people (ranging from girls my age to older men) who have been harassed and threatened because people thought they were racist from not posting BLM on their social media platform.
I’d like to share this post with you. Written by a very well thought out black man.
Many people have their own way of sharing their opinions. I think it’s best if we try and respect that.
While it is not right to be racist, it is also not right to throw death threats toward 16 year old girls on social media because they aren’t as vocal about BLM on their platform.
People can be vocal is so many other ways other than social media.
While social media can be a great platform for education people, many people are also intimidated by it and the power it holds. Let them find their own way of supporting the movement other than social media.
I’ve also seen influencers with money (such as Robert Downey Jr) being abused by people because of his wealth.
He posted for blackouttuesday and many people commented on his post telling him to open up his wallet and give his money away because he has the money.
We have to remember that EVERYONE IS HUMAN. RDJ is not less or more human than we are. He IS NOT a bank or a machine.
Even if he has donated, he wouldn’t want to flaunt it to everybody. If he went around telling people he donated $2M to the BLM movement, people would still judge him regardless, saying he’s being too cocky or prideful.
Like i’ve said, this world is too quick to judge. People say that if people are neutral in this situation or remain silent about it, they are automatically labeled as racist.
Let’s stop putting a label on everything.
Sometimes we need to hear other people’s side of their story before we judge them. We’re all human. We judge people. Yes, it happens.
Let’s just take a breath before we’re too quick to assume things about people.
If someone is silent or neutral in this situation, then EDUCATE THEM. DONT ASSUME they’re being racist. Just because someone is silent doesn’t mean they’re not listening.
Sometimes people are silent because they’re trying to listen. Because it’s easier for them to listen when they’re silent. Don’t be too quick to assume things about people when you don’t know the full story.
4. Not all people are bad.
I feel like more of this needs to be expressed on social media.
Even though what those cops did to George Floyd was so incredibly evil and wrong, we have to hold on to the fact that not every single cop in this wold is like them.
Here’s a video of policemen and the sheriff joining in peaceful protests:
31.2k Likes, 775 Comments - Steven Bartlett (@steven) on Instagram: “The power of empathy! 👮♂️”
This video is SO POWERFUL.
This shows that if policemen and other are willing to listen to what black people have to say, then we can all build a common strength to come closer to the goal we have in common — to stop racism and supremacy all together in America.
Throughout this month, I have only seen two posts on social media about policemen joining peaceful protests. The one above and one about policemen in Miami.
Looting and burning buildings is not necessary if policemen and the government give people a chance and listen to what they have to say.
5. Mistreatment of black lives IS NOT okay.
The abuse and torment George Floyd and so many other had to go through is in no way okay. Nobody should ever have to go through that.
Unfortunately, I was not able to find the post. But earlier today, I came across a video of a black woman protesting and talking about how black people were asked to learn languages such as French, Italian, Spanish, Chinese, and so many more languages and they complied. But no one ever learned the language of black people and hence black people were called “stupid” and so many other vulgar names.
Black people are not in any way less educated than the rest of America is.
If in anyway, they are MORE EDUCATED. Because of the history and suffering they have personally gone through.
Think about yourself first and what you’ve gone through compared to what someone else has gone through first, before calling them names.
No, it is not fair that black people complied when they were asked to learn so many languages that were not their own but now that they’re asking for people to just listen to them, they have to struggle to get their voice out.
We need to LISTEN to them. It’s really not that hard.
You don’t have to protest to listen. You can do it right now as your surfing the web or social media.
Black people have listened to us for centries. And now, this once, they’re asking for us to listen to them.
So let’s listen to them.
6. Listen.
Listen with an open heart and mind. Be prepared to learn.
It’s not the end, if you have been blinded with racism or white supremacy.
But just know that the blind CANNOT lead the blind. The blind can only be led by someone else. Someone who can see and be their eyes.
Black people have experienced so much racism and abuse. And they don’t deserve it.
Let them guide us towards their voices and what they are saying.
Alma 12:10:
10 And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.
Please. Open your eyes. Let the lives who have experienced it teach you.
I want all black lives to know that I fully 100% stand by you and your voice. I want you to teach me, to educate me. I’m here to listen and i’m here if anyone needs anything.
I hope that one day, in this lifetime, we will be able to see a world that is together in unity and purpose. I hope that soon, one day, this country will come together and acknowledge the wrongs of racism and instead, come together and listen.
✊✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿
#blacklivesmatter
x selina