When this first came up I thought that it was crap that a section of the population thought it necessary to announce that Black Lives Matter. I thought that people were claiming that the lives of black persons weren't being treated evenly or with the same respect as the white population. It seemed like it wasn't necessary to have to protest and hold signs telling others that one segment of the population was being treated with less concern and less care as another.
But now I think I get it...
I have no idea what it means to be black.
I have never felt that how I looked ranked me as any different or somehow lower in class or standing than others in my community or this world.
I have never felt the sting of racism directed towards me. Neither has anyone in my immediate family.
So in that regard I have no say in the matter.
Scorning the people that have been subjected to racism and violence and hatred because of the color of their skin is just as bad as the act itself.
I say that Black Lives Matter does need to be promoted and acted upon. Will the marches and debates help the issue? I certainly hope so. I feel sympathetic towards the black population and I hope with all my heart that the police are not unjustly targeting black people.
I am not a police officer either.
I have not had the training that is given to become an officer.
I have no idea what they must go through.
They are normal people that do extraordinary things. Sometimes they make mistakes. We all do.
I do know that every time they put on that uniform they go out in the streets they risk their lives to protect mine.
I appreciate all that these human beings do for others day in and day out. They might call it, "Just doing their job." But I call it, "Extreme valor in every aspect."
Be good to each other because, it is true, All Lives Matter
