First, came the Civil Rights Movement. This was followed by the Black Power Movement. Now we have the Black Lives Matter Movement. How long will it take for the message to be acknowledged, understood, and fully implemented, that black and people of colour are not inferior, never have been inferior, and should be treated with the same amount of respect as white people?
Black Lives Matter Movement -The U.S
As America raged, I raged in support, sympathy, synergy, and complete understanding. Black people have had enough. So much suffering and so much pain for so many years. The systems of power and their attitude towards people of colour, not just in America but all over the world, has got to change. Enter the Black Lives Matter Movement.
I know I’m not alone in my feelings of sadness, anger, and disgust after watching the video of George Floyd being cold-bloodedly murdered in broad daylight by a brazen US cop (with three others complicit). They ignored his pleas, ‘I can’t breathe…..’, as if he was nothing, worthless, a dirty pile of rags on the hard and dusty roadside. I felt the frustration and helplessness of the people pleading with the police to ease up from kneeling on George’s neck. Unable to do anything (for fear of being killed themselves), they were left just standing and watching as they witness George’s life ebb away.
The Protests
I think it is a good thing that so many white people have joined the protests, and are supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement. Many eyes have opened, for the first time, and have acknowledged and even questioned the everyday privileges enjoyed by white people in comparison to their black or non-white friends, colleagues, compatriots.
It brings to light to many that the George Floyd incident is just one of many senseless killings undertaken by the police. Over the years, many of those cops have not been prosecuted for their unnecessary murderous actions. The Black Lives Matter Movement is not saying black lives matter over and above all other lives. Rather, it’s a reminder that black people (and people of colour) are humans with feelings, whose lives have meaning and should be treated with as much respect as white lives. The Black Lives Matter Movement is here to stay until all races are treated equally and fairly.
Rioting
I support the protests – bring it on – but the rioting does concern me, as I feel it risks taking away the focus from what is most important.
It bothered me to see how quickly peaceful protests turned to riot. This highlighted the frustration of the many who feel disenfranchised by society. However, rioting muddies the message and diverts people’s attention away from the seriousness of the issue. It also gives some politicians the excuse to label The Black Lives Matter Movement as a terrorist one. It is not.
No one race could be blamed for the rioting. News footage showed that both black and white people were involved. But why destroy communities that are already disadvantaged? It’s so not the solution to the problem.
The way I see it, you either show your solidarity to the cause by protesting or sabotage the cause by rioting.
Obama’s hands were tied
President Obama, during his term in office, made several attempts to improve the existing social inequalities. However, he sadly struggled. With each term in office, he was held ransom by the Republican majority in the Senate. The bits he did do to benefit black lives e.g. Obamacare and creating federal tools for imposing accountability on police forces engaging in systematic racial discrimination, were swiftly dismantled by a ‘delightful’ (said with real sarcasm), President Trump.
Black Lives Matter movement exists to challenge not only law enforcement. The legal system, giant corporations, the entertainment industry, media, education system, the government, are also up for scrutiny. All need to be stripped of the systemic racism that is inherent within them. It will take time. It’s not an overnight solution, but tit’s imperative to keep the momentum going. This is not a fad or a trend. This is about life.
The Rest of the World and the Black Lives Matter Movement.
The American situation basically holds a mirror up to the rest of the world, urging countries to scrutinise the inequalities existing and deeply ingrained in their own countries.
This is a conversation that can no longer be ignored. It’s a never-ending dialogue. Right now, discussions should be taking place in every board room, about what can be done to make this world a fairer place.
Black Lives Matter Movement -The U.K
The U.K, although not outwardly racist, is far from blameless in their dealings with race relations. From my personal experience, the racism here is discreet, deceitful, and debilitating. It’s something you can’t always put your finger on it. Racism is not as open as in the U.S. It is more covert than overt. By virtue of its insidious nature, it’s not always easy to challenge.
There’s also a deep-rooted habit of brushing uncomfortable issues under the carpet, papering over the cracks, turning a blind eye. You’re often made to feel like the problem is you, not them… No, I do not have a chip on my shoulder.
Anyway, it’s time for everyone to keep their eyes open and right the wrongs of the past because the Black Lives Matter Movement is not going away.
