Be part of change, in your home, in your community, in your heart.
From the voice of one human to the eyes and ears of another, I hope this short read will have you opening your heart and mind to what is happening in the world today.
I have been raised to believe in equality and treating everyone as we would like to be treated. I do believe that all lives matter, but that isn’t really what the issue is currently. Nobody is denying that fact, so there is really no need to “clap back” at those supporting Black Lives Matter with All Lives Matter.
The original cartoon analogy by Kris Straub was created 2 years ago, and he recently expanded on it to further impress upon us all the true nature and importance of the Black Lives Matter movement. Hopefully this simplification can open up some minds.
Do you get it yet? Maybe you do, and you always have from the jump, if so, good!
The fact is that racism, sadly and sickeningly still plagues our world. People who just can’t see that we are all human beings, doing our best to live and love in the world today. Whether their ignorance and hatred has been taught to them at home, the result of media, or whatever the heck else, it’s there, it’s real and it’s a real problem.
While we can’t reach into someone else’s mind and rip those ideas and feeling out of their body and replace them with them with those of love, acceptance and just general human decency, we can take steps to ensure that the injustices happening are being seen, addressed and stopped.
Here’s what we can do
We can keep the conversations going with love in our hearts and an understanding that they may not always be easy.
Continue to teach our children to love and embrace each other, differences and all.
Support and stand-up when we see others being treated unfairly.
To communicate with policy makers to enact real change in the system.
Share your story, do not accept violence and force as the answer, police are trained to de-escalate.
Donate and support, financially or through volunteer efforts when we can, organizations in place to support Black Lives Matters initiatives, education, grief programs, mental health programs, legal aid, and more.
Become an ally if you’re able, be a barrier of strength and support for black protesters when called upon.
Stop posting memes that trivialize the reality of what is happening.
As I am by no means an authority on the issue, I would recommend you look into Black Lives Matters organizations in your own area. I have found Climate Justice Toronto to be helpful in my region. I thought this is something I can do to spread the message and keep the conversation going. I have a platform, so I am using it. Maybe nobody will read this, but if you do I hope it resonates and moves you to action too.
Understanding Black Lives Matters movement
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