Why you need to pay attention to these protests
It’s time to break the cycle that keeps repeating itself
After being overwhelmed by the hours of images and videos from protests and demonstrations across the U.S., I woke up hoping that they would be enough to prompt the POTUS to communicate what he should be talking about now — messages of peace, sympathy and positivity as we wade through very challenging times. Instead, after days of marching and even violence in Minneapolis, Philadelphia, New York City, Chicago, Los Angeles, Salt Lake City, Denver, Washington, D.C., and Seattle we’re still met with his dismissal, and no support to help with the needed healing.
It’s that insensitivity that only serves to further motivate passionate protestors in search of answers or change, and provide more moments for opportunist looters that are diluting the peaceful demonstrations happening across the country and even around the world. That all said, let’s be very clear of all the things at play:
- There’s still too much apathy: Let’s be honest here. There are still too many people just barely paying attention to the issue, assuming it has nothing to do with them. But it’s that type of indifference that only deepens the anger. Because, all you need to be is human to genuinely feel sadness, disappointment or anger at what’s happening. To see someone choked out and stop breathing under the weight of a police officer should be upsetting, no matter who you are.
- Everyone cares about living in a great country: When our President makes the statement that “MAGA loves Black people”, he is in essence implying what makes America great differs between people, and not the core believe that what this country GREAT is — equality for all.
- This is only a piece of the pie. The reality is the protests underscore not only the deaths in unnecessarily hostile situations, but just emphasize the bold and sharp divide when it comes to race relations in the country, no matter how much perceived progress we make.
- The math doesn’t add up: I’m not sure how many pieces of proof you need over the years, but all you need to do is open a browser window to see how alarming the death and numbers are that can be added to George Floyd over the last couple of months, such as Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor. This isn’t about one man, but this is about expressing outrage for a system that hasn’t seemed to rectify itself to stop this from happening.
- Just start to pay attention: Could you imagine the kind of change that would emerge if this was perceived as more than a people of color issue? Instead, if the outrage on a justice issue belonged to everyone? Maybe we could break the cycle of indifference. MAYBE.
- The crisis for POC is real: We’re still in the thick of a pandemic that is not only impacting people of color in disproportionate numbers but is contributing to the loss of livelihood. With all of this uncertainty and loss, emotions are at all-high and won’t settle until people start feeling supported in the system they live. Until that happens, people are inclined to take loud, bold actions they think they can control.
No one has a clue about what tomorrow will bring. Still, as long as we continue to live in a current state of challenge and inequity, you can count on these continued expressions of public anger until voices are finally heard, understood, and supported. That’ll be an America people can be proud of. Here’s to the long journey to that day.
