XVI: On Misunderstandings

Let me just clarify something that’s weighed heavy on my mind.

Our cause is not violence. It never has been, and it never will be about violence.

To those who protest violent ends in the name of BLM, this is not an accurate representation of the movement.

Black Lives Matter is not about retribution, or revenge. It pains me to see it portrayed as such on various media outlets.

To say that individual protesters speak out for the entire movement is to tell a half-truth. Don’t even take my word for it — if you have questions, talk to others too. Hear their stories.

It’s disappointing to see the overwhelming majority arguing about why they don’t support the cause, or why they don’t see the point in protesting. But, the media is extremely capable of misrepresenting stories to fit certain ends. We need to be aware of that.

So, maybe the lack of support is due to a simple misunderstanding. Maybe it’s due to ignorance, prejudice, biases.

But, what we need to realize is that our future is in our hands. Misunderstandings can be easily mitigated. Prejudices and biases less so, but still achievable.

I’m not asking you to join the streets in protest. I’m not asking you to jump on a bandwagon and support a cause you may not completely understand. 

I’m just asking you to keep an open mind.

I’m asking you to keep asking questions.

I’m asking you to take perspective — get all the facts straight before you make a decision.

I’m asking you to acknowledge that we all have biases, and, for a moment, I’m asking you to let go of them.

But to restate, the movement is called Black Lives Matter.

Black lives don’t matter more than others.

It’s not ONLY black lives that matter, either.

The movement means that black lives mean just as much as any other life.

But, I’m calling your attention to the fact that our cause matters. I’m drawing your attention to years of unjust police brutality, normalized cases of racism in the black community, and institutionalized prejudices which exist in society.

Think about it.