Equality: A Weigh-in on Protesting for Rights
I feel
called to weigh in on the Black Lives Matter Movement, specifically the “white
privilege” that I experience. I saw a
meme the other day and it said: “When a cop pulls me over, I’m always afraid
that I’m going to get a ticket. I’m
never afraid that I’m going to get killed.
That’s the difference.” This is the truth. No, I’m not saying that all
police officers are bad. I’m not saying
that you should fear the people that are doing their jobs to protect and
serve. I’m saying that as a white woman,
the only thing I worry about is getting a ticket when being stopped by an
officer. Moreover, my white privilege
means I will not be denied a position at a company because of my skin
color. I will not have to think twice
about being in a store and worried about being followed because people think I may
steal something because of my skin color.
I will not have assumptions made about the intelligence I hold because
of my skin color. See the difference?
To put it
another way, as a young woman I have to be concerned about how I act in public. This is because of societal standards. I feel for the Black Lives Matter Movement because
I know the hardships I have to deal with as a woman. Let’s talk about rape. It has only been in recent years that talking
about rape has been encouraged. We all
know it is not the woman’s (or male victim’s) fault. We all KNOW this. But I still hear, “Well, she shouldn’t have
been walking alone,” or “She shouldn’t have been wearing that outfit,” or “She
should have been more careful about her alcohol consumption.” This is a load of crap. There are no other words to describe it. I shouldn’t have to second guess my outfit to
go out. I shouldn’t have to worry about
walking home, alone from the bar or at night.
I shouldn’t have to worry about having one too many or being
drugged. But it happens. All these things people say are victim shaming. So, Black Lives Matter Movement, I see you, I
hear you, I feel you!
Another
example is the LGBTQ community. This movement
is discriminated against as well. In our
world, we should be able to love who we want.
To put it mildly, the members of this community are judged just as harshly
as a race. Yes, it is true that places
cannot discriminate based on gender, skin color, religious, or sexual preferences;
but it still happens. Think of the countless
young people who have had their lives taken because of their sexual orientation. As a straight person, I do not have to worry
about my family hating or disowning me because of my sexual preference. I do not have to worry about violence towards
me because of my sexual preference. I do
not have to worry about hateful comments being said to me because of my sexual
preference. So, LGBTQ community, I see you,
I hear you, I support you!
Being apart
of the Black Lives Matter Movement (or any Equal Rights Movement for that
matter), does not mean I completely understand the reasons for the injustice. I am not sure anyone does. It means that I am taking a stand and
sticking to my values. My church’s sermon
today (6/7/2020) was about this very topic.
In the sermon, my pastor quoted something a colleague of hers had shared:
Instead of saying all lives matter, Jesus said, ‘Children’s
lives matter.’
Instead of saying all lives matter, Jesus said, ‘Gentile
lives matter.’
Instead of saying all lives matter, Jesus said, ‘Jewish
lives matter.’
Instead of saying all lives matter, Jesus said, ‘Women’s
lives matter.’
Instead of saying all lives matter, Jesus said, ‘Lepers’
lives matter.’
Even though Jesus loves everyone, even to the point of dying
for their sins, He went out of His way to intentionally help specific groups of
people—the alienated, mistreated, and those facing injustice.
So, saying “Black Lives Matter” and participating in a
movement seeking justice, positive reform, and empowerment is one of the most
Christ-like things we can do.”
Now, before
all y’all start in about the riots, let me just say that I do not support the
riots and the looting. One of the main
things I witnessed in pictures from all over our country that had riots was the
number of WHITE people participating in the destruction and looting. There it is again, those two tiny words that
speak the loudest about race, “white privilege.” Yes, there were many people involved and I am
not saying only the white people were causing the destruction, but when we
gather thousands of people together, there are bound to be a few bad apples (black,
white, green) that take it to the next level.
Think about it. All these people have
been cooped up in their homes for at least two months (because of COVID-19) and
we just had a great social injustice happen.
Yes, there was looting. Yes, it
is wrong. Yes, there was chaos in some
parts. But those are the only protests
that are being seen for the most part. When
the news televises only the bad, it gets validated and criticized. A Flint sheriff got Facebook famous for
standing and marching with the BLM cause.
Locally, we have had two peaceful protests so far. Nationally, there have been hundreds. But these do not get nearly enough screen
time. Don’t believe me? Check out the “On the Road” segment by Steve
Hartman from June 5, 2020. Here, I’ll even
make it easy for you, click here.
Social injustice still exists in 2020. Racism still exists in 2020. Sexism still exists in 2020. Let us work together to eradicate ALL bias and live more Christ-like (or just kind) lives. It is ok to have differing opinions, but it is not ok to ignore basic human decency! Again, to the Black Lives Matter Movement as well as all Equal Rights Movements:
I see you!
I hear you! I feel you! I support you!
Stay tuned!
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