Stand Up For What You Believe
Yesterday, when I finally had a chance to relax, I had intended to do some writing and get back to this blog. That of course, didn't happen as planned, though I did find exactly what I wanted to write about. I turned on the television to catch up on the day's events and what do I see? Baltimore has erupted in riots. I switch over to CNN to see what is going on, and within a few minutes reporter Joe Johns walks up to a man standing alone about twenty-five feet in front of the police line with his back to them as if he is daring protesters to come toward them.
Before a single word is said I can see the look in the man's eyes and I know what’s going through his mind. I've seen that look many times before on my parents faces. On my Grandfather's face. On the faces of the men and women in uniform I have seen and dealt with all of my life. That is the look of determination. Part of it is made up of anger, but the largest is built on resolution. You know what has to be done, and you are going to do what you need to do to make sure that everything that can be done on your part is done. Some would call it the will to succeed. I'm sure that is true, but each and every one of these people stood up for something they believed in. They saw something that could be improved or be made better. Or maybe they saw something that should never have happened, like the riots in Baltimore last night.
If you haven't heard of this gentleman yet, then you haven't been on the internet much today. Mr. Robert Valentine is a Vietnam Veteran who put himself in front of the police and when asked by Mr. Johns why he was there said that the rioters should be at home. I'll post a link to the interview, because my meager words can't convey the true force behind his statements as well as his own can. Robert Valentine Vietnam Vet on Baltimore Riots: I'm Not Black, I'm An American -CNN Interview|VIDEO. Apparently, the man was just what some in the city needed. Not soon afterward, another man in a skull t-shirt showed up at another blockade just like Mr. Valentine, according to a post by a Ms. Tammy Rose at the Inquisitr. She also reports that a Facebook page was also created called, We Stand With Robert Valentine.
I don't know if Mr. Valentine ever expected anything like this to happen when he decided to stand in front of the police to possibly ward of protesters if necessary, but fewer men could deserve it more in his circumstances. There is a common complaint and refrain one hears about liberals. Liberals often think that change can be brought about by raising conscience awareness of issues. Sure, that's a start, but if you are unwilling to take that next step, like walking out the door and standing in harm's way, being consciously aware of the problem is useless.
Okay, I know a lot of people are praising Mr. Valentine today, and with good reason, but we shouldn't be chastising an entire community as some quarters are doing. We all know that there is a huge amount of pent up frustration in the Black community currently. The fact that we still call it the "Black" community isn't helping in my book. Why is it not part of the American community? Sure, they have some different traditions and some different customs, but then English and Greeks don't really share the same traditions and customs either and we're willing to call them Americans without giving them a sub group. Why do Blacks, Asians, Latinos, and anyone slightly of color have to be a sub group in America? Can't they just be an American like the rest of us?
Sometimes it can just be too confusing. I can meet some people and if I say Black they look at me as if I said they had leprosy. They either politely or impolitely say African-American. If they do it politely, I go along and try not to be an ass. If they decide to be especially rude about it, I ask them if they are from Africa. My friends from Africa always got rather upset when Americans used that term, as the sub-term originally meant that person was originally from that country and emigrated to America. Then, there were the older Black men I liked very much and who I usually always take the time to listen to when I have the chance. They almost always say the same thing. They are American. Not Black. Not African-American. They are American. Why do some people insist on categorizing themselves? Do they want to feel special, or do they want to be separate?
I don't know the answer to that last question and it troubles me. Either way it is answered it is disturbing. I want nothing more than to end the police violence in this nation, and one of the ways to do that is to end the racial divide that is killing this country. We have to stop seeing each other as Black, White, Asian, Latino, and Native. We all live here. This is our Home. By that simple definition we can all call ourselves and each other Americans. Just like Robert Valentine this should be something we can stand up for. I believe in it. If I have to, I'll stand up in front of the police lines and be willing to face down whatever comes my way. I've had guns in my face before, it won't be a new experience. If I die, at least it will be for something worthwhile. How many others can say as much?
