Black History Month — RACIST OR NOT RACIST?
Why should we say Black Lives Matter and not All Lives Matter nor Blue Lives Matter? This is a question I was asked by an ignorant nincompoop sometime last year during the height of the Black Lives Matter protests mid last year. Forgive me for using such an abrasive term to describe a fellow human being however, there are very few words that I could use to describe a person who has the same train of thought and none of them are good. Allow me to take you on a journey that should hopefully leave you understanding why I would use such a term on a fellow African.
For those who may not know, the phrases Blue Lives Matter and All Lives Matter emerged as a response to the widespread protests that took place after the horrific execution of George Floyd. Majority of the individuals who say this do not believe that there is systemic racism in the world for one reason or another. They may also use the phrase, “I am not a racist” if you have to defend your position in society, you should also accept that there is a problem. Actually, execution is a politically correct word for what really happened. He was lynched. Now, as a learned individual, I hope that you are aware that the lynching of Black people has been a practice carried out since man discovered that there is a difference between Black men and white men.
In America, after years of civil rights movements, the lynchings’ are few and far between however they haven’t completely ended. The difference with 2020 is that this lynching was captured live on camera. The Lockdowns in Most parts of the world and switch to digital life did not help the perpetrators given that the video was shared millions of times.
It was the sheer audacity for me that a white officer who is expected to protect and to serve felt threatened by a black man who was down on the ground struggling to breathe. The protest called on social change and systemic change to the institutions around the country. For systemic change to be viable we first must accept that there is a systemic problem. To some, Systemic racism is a concept that they cannot fathom should be used in the 21st century and they defend themselves by saying “it’s a few bad apples, but not the entire police force”. But when does a ‘few bad apples’ stop being few? It is funny how many evangelicals and Christians, in general, are quick to quote the saying, “if your left arm causes to sin cut it off”, yet are unable to cut off these bad apples.
Black Lives matter is not synonymous with Black Lives are the only lives that matter. Instead, Black Lives Matter just means that the world needs to be cognizant of the fact that black lives have not been treated like they matter since time immemorial and that needs to change. The movement is not seeking special treatment to be offered to Black people, it is instead a civil rights movement calling for the humane treatment of Black lives. Yes, all lives matter, but how are the black lives being treated? What privileges does being white have over being black? Do you see those privileges?
Should the police be defunded? If at all it would bring about a significant decrease (if not a complete eradication) in the number of Black men and women murdered in cold blood, my answer is a resounding YES! We desperately need radical changes to have a meaningful impact on the lives of people in society. Yes, we must protect and preserve our police, but will we do this by ignoring the rights of the Black man? Does the Black Lives Matter hurt the blue lives or is the ignoring of the Black lives putting the blue lives at risk?
Many police officers claim that they fired their weapon because they felt threatened by the Black presence in front of them. Let us again take some time to ponder this. A white man carrying a military-grade weapon after having killed a dozen innocent civilians is less of a threat compared to a Black drunk unarmed man who has been able to wrestle two police officers and is now running away from them? That white man is less violent than a 17year old Black man who is walking at night having on a hoody? Is that white man is less violent than a Black woman who is sleeping in her own bed? If your answer is yes to any of those questions kindly check yourself to the nearest anti-racism support group because your test reads positive for racism.
February is BHM (Black History Month), a time where Black excellence is highlighted and appreciated. I honestly have mixed feelings about this month. On one hand, it is a great idea that seeks to desensitize the community about the Black lives however is on month really making a difference in society or is it just to put minds at ease that they are not racist when indeed they are? Your guess is as good as mine. Why be accommodating of Black culture if you won’t accommodate the Black individual?
What does it mean to be black? I read once that there are individuals in the 21st century, medics no less who believe that Black people do not feel pain. Let us take some time to think about that statement. A white medical practitioner has this belief, not in 1421 nor 1821 nor 1921 but in 2021. A century of decades has passed and there are still individual who think like this? If after not less than 17 years in school you think like this, look no further for the racist problem because it is you. Accept this fact and change. Ultimately, For a meaningful change, we must first accept that there is systemic racism thereafter do our best to be the change that our society needs.
