DISCLAIMER: I don’t believe in the superiority of any ethnic, cultural, or social group. Also, please excuse the graphic nature and content on some of the links.
7-6-16 | Racial issues are controversial. There is no way around the unsettling effect this proverbial elephant in the room causes, even so, racial matters must be addressed and with a high degree of discretion to move towards progressive resolutions.
Black Lives Matter
Flickr/Mukumbura
The Black Lives Matter Movement gained its bearings in 2012 with the use of “#BlackLivesMatter“, by founders, Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrice Cullors. This social media gauntlet was their response to the nationally bewildering acquittal of George Zimmerman in the Trayvon Martin case. Since then, this iconic hashtag has confirmed its position as a staple in American history.
Yet, I’m not here to talk about the Black Lives Matter organization and this isn’t my endorsement of the network.
This morning, I heard 37-year-old black man, Alton Sterling was killed early Tuesday morning, during an encounter with Baton Rouge, Louisiana police officers. It’s never good to be enthusiastic about something you don’t know about, so I looked the information up myself. (1). After toiling through a barrage of news reports online, I immediately became grieved.
Exposure
Technology is making it impossible for those who lack self-control, abuse their power, operate with seared consciences and kill as savages to remain hidden. Their dissimulation is being exposed. No longer are these types able to hide behind the blurred lines of self-defense, their badges or the protection of the law.
During Alton Sterling’s slaying, a bystander captured the encounter on video. In this video, the victim is subdued and forcibly thrown to the ground by two police officers. In his last moments, he lays face up, moving as a turtle stuck on its back before a gun is pulled out and he is fatally shot.
“All Lives Matter” Flickr/Flash Philly
#BLM Existed Long Before You Did
People openly challenge the statement black lives matter with all lives matter and I get both statements. However, let me provoke your thoughts for a moment.
In theory, “Black Lives Matter” existed when America’s 16th President, Abraham Lincoln became more vocal with his views on slavery, supporting the 13th Amendment abolishing it and issuing the Emancipation Proclamation to free those in states that rebelled against this ruling.
It was demonstrated with the Fourteenth Amendment, which clearly designated US citizenship for former slaves and expanded civil rights protection for them.
The concept even existed when the United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of desegregating schools in the landmark Brown VS. the Board of Education case.
It existed when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was legislated, when Jim Crow laws were successfully overthrown, and when a number of civil rights violations became federal offenses, fortifying the FBIs efforts against hate crimes.
I could go on, but my point has been well established.
My plea is this. Do not get angry with America’s uproar over apparent injustices and biases based on race. Understand that this conversation started long before social media, hash tags and the Internet even existed. Prayerfully, we will find an expedient and peaceable resolution.
Prayers up for all those involved.
Featured Image Photo Credit: Flickr/thesmokingprophet
Edited on 5/27/2020 at 3:53 PM ET – Replaced ‘Prayerfully, we will find an expedient and peaceable resolution,’ with ‘Prayerfully, we will find a quick, peaceable, and sustainable resolution.’ The word expedient did not wholly represent my intent or values, as I would not direct readers to do anything ‘immoral.’
1 Comment
Ashaymonae · at
I just said this to my cousin today!! social media has only made these terrible killings visible