Since the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020, personally my email & direct messages on social media, have been filled with two similar questions.  One, “why is everyone using the #blacklivesmatter now?” & two, “why is everyone protesting?”

Now, your first reaction to these questions may be confusion.  You may be confused because you don’t understand how, or why people don’t already have an answer to these questions.  Or, you are confused why you may be receiving backlash for asking these questions.

My knee-jerk reaction, like many other black people & other POC (people of color), when a white person asks such questions used to be defensive.  I felt like I was under attack.  Like the person asking for answers was putting this movement of an entire race of people on my shoulders.  I felt responsible for coming up with an answer that is easy to understand, intelligent, and mindful, all within seconds of being asked.

Sometimes, depending on the person asking, I still feel this way.  But, after May 25th, my reaction is different.  My feelings still hold true, but I have more of an open mind than ever before.  My answer to the first question is pretty simple, the second question requires more of an explanation.

First, I quote former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker, & ESPN analyst, Emmanuel Acho, who posted a recent video on his Instagram regarding #blacklivesmatter.  He said, “We understand all lives matter, but right now, black people are dying at the hands of white people, and I can’t change that.  Only you, my white friends, y’all can change that.”

While this may be off-putting to some of you, this is such a poignant & truthful statement.  Black people have been fighting for equality since long before 2020.  The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s included some leaders who were white, but since then, how many civil rights activists have you seen in recent history who are not black?  We as a people, we as Americans, we as global citizens have to acknowledge there is oppression, and collectively stand to fight it.

Here’s an example, let’s say you are in a classroom full of 100 people.  50 people want to stand up & walk out because they say class is over.  But the other 50 people remain seated and continue listening to the lecture.  Some people from the first group of 50, may leave & walk out of class.  But, some of them see their peers, who remain seated, and feel they should stay too.  Soon, the first 50 people become 40, 30, then 20, and so on.  Meanwhile, the lecturer is still teaching, and remains unbothered by the tensions in the room.  However, if all 100 people stood up and left the classroom as a collective, the lecturer would be forced to stop speaking.

This is why we sit, march, and protest with signs in bold reading, “Black Lives Matter.”

To acknowledge that everyone matters, is to first see the people who are being treated unfairly.  We can only change once we see and acknowledge the reality of life for POC.  We have to be united for change to occur.  We have to share information, so we can all stand together, united as one on this issue.  That is why people are protesting.

We have to be united on this issue of racial injustice & inequality.  George Floyd is the spark that lit this match of protests.  But, there have been so many sparks, over the course of just my short, 28 year old, lifetime, that have made everyone see racial injustice.  Even though everyone has seen these injustices, not everyone has experienced them.

People protest because this is not a black issue.  This is a HUMAN issue, and an American issue.  People of all races, ages and occupations are protesting together. Part of sharing the protests happening in all 50 states, is protesting.  Peacefully assembling is a right, actually part of the Bill of Rights.  This is a right along with freedom of speech, in the First Amendment.

Please do not confuse looting & rioting with protesting.  These senseless acts of violence are like fiery temper tantrums being thrown by isolated groups of people, not protesters shouting for equality.  Sometimes violence is the response used to incite action, but will it incite change?  Probably not.  Mindless, recklessness, incites more divisiveness and more violence than action.  

Share the protests that are lawful, peaceful & meaningful to you.  Continue to help make the effective change you want for yourself and future generations.  Every voice matters, no matter the race.

Stay Well,

Ashleigh

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