BLM: An Ongoing Battle
Black lives really matter, and the fight for rights is not quite over.
“All men are created equal.” This historic statement is inscribed on one of the most fundamental pieces of literature in our country. These were words ultimately aimed at establishing equality between all people of this country. However, words are not actions. Proclaiming equality on streets throughout the nation does not instill it within the beliefs of everyone residing in the country. This brings about the question, “How accurate were the Founding Fathers when they wrote the Declaration of Independence just over 200 years ago?”
Eric Gardner. Michael Brown. Akai Gurley. Joseph Mann. Patterson Brown. India Kager. Randy Nelson. Kevin Hicks. Sylville Smith. Jordan Edwards. Aaron Bailey. Stephon Clark. Pamela Turner. Eric Reason. George Floyd.
Behind each of these names, there is a story. A family. A life. These lives were torn away from these people, unfairly and without any warning. Imagine being choked to death with someone’s knee on your neck or being shot for walking home with your groceries in hand. It is simply unimaginable. One might ask, “why?”. This question has been in the minds of hundreds of Americans for years and years, yet no one seems to know the answer or a solution.
With the tragic murder of George Floyd, streets have been surging with people fighting for what they believe in. From Minneapolis to Washington D.C., all the way to London, this ripple effect has opened eyes throughout the world. Though these protests were sparked by the death of George Floyd, the participants are protesting something much bigger. Racism.
For decades racism has been in a key behind-the-scenes player in beliefs, thoughts, and actions of millions around the world. Whether it is due to ethnocentrism, cultural divide, or one’s familial beliefs, racism is prevalent everywhere. From an early age, African American children are taught to never reach their hand in their pocket, or never reach for the glove compartment when encountering the police.
First off, let’s define “race”. “Race” is determined by one’s behavioral and physical characteristics, including the hair, eyes, and skin. We don’t choose how we look or where we are born — such decisions are out of our hands. Physical characteristics do not define who we are, and the amount of melanin in one’s body should not determine any hierarchy. It’s time people face the straight facts and reality: innocent people are being murdered.
This realization has struck at the hearts of hundreds who are now on the front line standing up for the lives of African American men and women. Protesters around the world have been seen holding posters saying “I can’t breathe” and “Black Lives Matter”. These protesters are not only in the United States, but also in countries such as Britain, Germany, and France. Together, we are seeing the eruption of a volcano that has been building up for too long. Through these protests, people are not only becoming aware of this pressing situation but are also seeing the great number of people who stand with them. Not to mention the fact that individuals are being educated as to what these movements truly signify why they should also be feeling rage too.
In Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech, he says “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up, live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” Even from less than 100 years ago, the hope that the words of the Declaration of Independence would come true has been lingering in the American air. Dr. King and abolitionists sought to fight for the rights of African American people. To this day, we are still fighting that same battle.
So let us do everything in our power to seize this moment and help put a stop to this ongoing battle. Let us come together as a nation. Let us fight for what we know is right. And let us take steps to make Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream a reality.
References
Luther King Jr., Rev. Martin. “I Have A Dream…” Speech Copyright 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr.
NPR. “A Decade Of Watching Black People Die.” NPR.Org, 31 May 2020, www.npr.org/2020/05/29/865261916/a-decade-of-watching-black-people-die.
Rahim, Zamira, and Rob Picheta. “Thousands around the World Protest George Floyd’s Death in Global Display of Solidarity.” CNN, 1 June 2020, www.cnn.com/2020/06/01/world/george-floyd-global-protests-intl/index.html.
“See the Giant BLM Message Painted on Road to White House — CNN Video.” Www.Cnn.Com, www.cnn.com/videos/us/2020/06/05/black-lives-matter-yellow-paint-muriel-bowser-dc-phillip-nr-vpx.cnn. Accessed 11 June 2020.
“Thousands Turn out for UK Anti-Racism Protests.” BBC News, 6 June 2020, www.bbc.com/news/uk-52949014.
