Blacks Lives Matter
It’s complicated. Though social good means listening, learning, speaking up and taking action. Here are some thoughts I felt compelled to share:
- Black Lives Matter.
Understand that because we focus on one issue, it doesn’t mean other problems don’t exist or that we don’t care about them. The human brain cannot process all injustice at once and we have to fight them together.
The fact remains: Black Lives Matter.
- Fear of the other erodes all of us.
Defining anyone as an other is the route of so many humanitarian issues.
To me, on 25th May George Floyd was murdered. Instinctively, I find any other viewpoint reprehensible, but there is so much more to this and to influence you have to first listen and seek to understand.
Fear of the other means to deny someone’s humanity, doing so will drive a wedge which is not the same as shaking things up.
- We all have a voice.
I considered not posting this, because I didn’t want to be seen as cynically jumping on a bandwagon or white knighting. A silly moment. I got over my own delusions of grandeur and have posted it. It could be that no-one is interested, but at least it forced me into clarity of thought and hey, maybe my kids will see it and it gives them cause for thought?
Influence is not equal, but I have to believe that all of us must use whatever influence we have well.
- We can change.
When I was younger, I didn’t understand the white privilege I have.
It also took time for me to understand that it’s not enough not be racist; we ought to be anti-racist.
It is through education that we grow. There are many resources that you might find useful and a good place is start is here: www.blacklivesmatter.com/what-we-believe/
As well as posting this, I also put my money where my mouth is. If you feel like doing the same, you can do so by following the links below.
Listen, learn, speak up, and take action.
#Blacklivesmatter
Charities and funds
American Civil Liberties Union
Petitions to sign
Thanks.
John Gilbert
