Post 76: #Coronavirus and a global perspective.

Today’s topic: #BlackLivesMatter.

We’re sharing our experiences, thoughts, and uncensored opinions during lockdown, quarantine, and self-isolation. For some of us, it’s DAY 76.

Get out there

RafifJ, #Malaga, #Spain

#BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter. #BlackLivesMatter.

Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.

People, GET OUT THERE AND MAKE NOISE.

Join a protest.
Stage a rally.
Demand justice.

Kneel. Boycott. MAKE NOISE.

Because silence equals acceptance, and silence is killing people.

There must be an answer

Wayne Wallace, McLean, #Virginia

I am tempted to start with, “When things like this happen…” Except things like this don’t happen in my world. I am at a loss. Unfortunately, “things like this” do happen. A lot.

I don’t often think about White privilege, but I do recognize it and know that I often benefit from it. I have always known that White privilege means my opinion matters more in meetings. I know that I will get more respect than my non-White (not to mention female) counterparts.

What I haven’t thought about with regard to White privilege is how it affects me in my personal life. Now, I understand, White privilege means petty offenses do not carry a death penalty for me. I’ve long been of the opinion that U.S. drug laws are racist, but now it’s clear that far more often than should ever be tolerated, basic laws and law-enforcement activity are applied differently – depending on race.

As a White parent, I fear that my children may make stupid mistakes or bad decisions. But I don’t have to worry that their choices could carry a death sentence simply because of the color of their skin.

I don’t know what can be done to fix this. There are certainly legal remedies that need to be implemented. But more is needed. We, as a society, must reject the notion that Black men are to be feared. We need to stop accepting and electing politicians who play on our insecurities, biases, and fears. Instead, we must elect leaders and promote ideas that unite, tear down barriers to advancement, and eliminate the unequal application of justice.

What is not needed is more indifference to disproportionate treatment for criminal allegations, depending on the race of the suspect. What’s not needed is for the rest of us to avert our gaze while others plead, #ICANTBREATHE under the knee of police brutality. What is not needed is more White liberal guilt that ignores the real pain and suffering while being all too willing to weaponize race for personal gain.

Much the way it took men to “allow” women the right to vote and begin to heal millennia of gender inequality, it’s going to require the conscious effort of right-thinking White men and women to stop allowing separate and unequal justice, and demand equal treatment and dignity for ALL. Not just all of “us.”

Retrieved via Internet search.

Enough

Tina F., Fairfax, Virginia

I have spent a lot of time pontificating on what I have learned from the #coronavirus. I’ve reflected on the impact this whole experience has impressed upon me. It’s all been a bit overwhelming, really.

Now many are returning slowly to “normal” life. How do I start to move on? Personally, I don’t want to move on. I want to move away! Out to the country and be self-sufficient and live sustainably. But I want my voice to be heard.

I’ll emerge back into full-fledged engagement with “real” life after I am assured that the government really does hold the wellbeing of its citizens as a priority.

After the police is held accountable for murder.
After “Black Lives Matter” is a slogan imprinted on every American’s mind.
After “All Lives Matter” is a slogan we all live by.
After everyone, including officers, are arrested for committing cold-blooded murder.
After my America is so longer Amerikkka!

Enough is enough. We cannot continue to allow the racial divide to fester.

I leave you with the names of a fraction of those Black lives murdered by police. May you all Rest In Peace.

Michael Brown. Alton Sterling. Philando Castile. Eric Garner. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd.

Retrieved from @MrsChrstiBerg on Twitter

My country ’tis of thee

RJD, #Beirut, #Lebanon

My country, the one I pledge allegiance to and the one I am proud to live in, is breaking my heart.

We abolished slavery.
We claimed equality.
We call ourselves a melting pot.
Lady Liberty says she welcomes everyone.

And yet, every American who is not a WASP or an Aryan, is definitely not welcome here – be they Native Indians, African-American, Asian, Arab, Latino…

We, non-WASP or Aryan Americans, make up 30% of people in these United States and still we are considered inferior to the White ones.

We are the ones working on today’s frontlines, in grocery stores, in menial jobs that no White American wants to do. And yet we are considered second-class citizens.

Are these United States a third-world country or first? Today, after the horrifying choking death of George Floyd, we have absolutely proven that we are worse than any third-world country.

We chastise these third-world countries on their leaders and policies. We condemn terrorists, sanctioning foreign governments. We still hold our heads higher than any other country, but we spew more hate and racism than any other life on Earth.

My country, you put me to shame. You ain’t no land of sweet liberty. 

Retrieved from lightboxcollaborative.com

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