Before you react with phrases like #bluelivesmatter or #alllivesmatter, take a moment to truly envision this reality. Yes, every life is valuable, and that’s not up for debate. However, there are communities in this country that face an uphill battle just to be recognized as such.
Frequently, I find myself contemplating alternative actions instead of calling the police in scenarios like a break-in or a robbery. I think about how I would try to distance myself before making that call, fearful of being misidentified as a suspect or even shot if I moved too quickly and startled an officer.
One day, I encountered a scared, white toddler wandering alone in my apartment complex. I hesitated to comfort her, worried that someone might report me to the police. Even when the police showed up to assist after a minor car accident, my heart raced as I recalled whether they were armed. I imagined what image they might use to suggest I deserved harm, or what past incident they might dig up to justify my demise.
I’m a PhD student, often labeled an “Oreo” throughout my life, yet I’m terrified of law enforcement.
When the first Black president took office, I felt a glimmer of hope. Unfortunately, I’ve witnessed friends who once seemed supportive shift towards racist and nationalistic rhetoric, as political discussions once again segregated white individuals and people of color. To argue that Black individuals should not face lethal force for minor infractions is deemed “anti-police,” and celebrating Black culture is twisted into an “anti-white” sentiment. Our society perpetuates the myth that equality for people of color equates to a loss for white individuals.
Take a moment to reflect on what frightens you about the prospect of white individuals becoming a minority, or acknowledging that racial bias influences all of our thoughts, regardless of our skin color. Disparities in incarceration rates, housing access, and job opportunities disproportionately impact people of color, though they do affect white individuals too—just not to the same extent. Why is it so difficult to accept this reality? Could it be that we recognize the system is skewed, and challenging it might risk altering the balance of power?
We’ve been misled.
We’ve been deceived.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that Black and white power cannot coexist without one side losing.
This country is not about white versus Black, police versus Black, or citizen versus immigrant. Yet, it’s convenient to frame these issues in such a binary to distract us from the real problems at hand.
When we proclaim “Black lives matter” and the response is “blue lives matter,” it implies that police lives hold greater significance—as if we are cheering for opposing teams. In reality, those advocating for Black lives are not seeking harm against police or anyone else. We’re not trying to compete; we want to unite.
I understand your instinct might be to dismiss my perspective, to jump into a defense mode that invalidates my experiences. But pause. Reflect on how it feels when you post about a crime committed by a Black person, declaring, “See! Why isn’t anyone addressing these criminals?” The truth is, discussions about crime are happening, and that’s precisely why we need to shift the narrative to reflect that most of us are not criminals.
We need to speak out because we are inundated daily with messages from friends, media, and politicians insisting we are the villains, suggesting that if we simply comply, we would be fine. But we won’t be okay until our equality and safety are not seen as threats. Until non-criminal Black individuals are viewed as the norm rather than the exception. Until our white allies feel our pain rather than deflecting blame.
We will continue to educate our children about the dangers they face, even if it makes some uncomfortable. White discomfort does not surpass the value of Black lives.
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Summary
The article discusses the urgent need to acknowledge the struggles faced by Black individuals in America, emphasizing that discomfort among white individuals should not overshadow the fight for equality and justice. It calls for unity rather than division, urging all to reflect on the systemic issues at play and recognizing that while all lives matter, the focus must be on ensuring Black lives are treated with equal importance.